BioBlitz

What is a BioBlitz?

A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. A BioBlitz is also known as a biological inventory or biological census. The primary goal of a BioBlitz is to get an overall count of the plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms that live in a place.

Species in a BioBlitz are categorized into groups that have similar characteristics. These are known as taxonomic groups. Some examples of taxonomic groups include mollusks, vascular plants, fungi, and birds. The end result of a BioBlitz is a tally of species found in each of these groups.

A BioBlitz differs from a scientific inventory in a number of ways. Scientific inventories are usually limited to biologists, geographers, and other scientists. A BioBlitz brings together volunteer scientists, as well as families, students, teachers, and other members of the community.

These differences make a BioBlitz a unique biological survey that encourages a relationship between the natural and human communities of a given area. Citizens work alongside scientists to learn about the biological diversity of local natural spaces. In the process, they gain skills and knowledge and develop a stronger connection to their home environment. A BioBlitz aims to promote and improve local natural spaces by empowering citizens to better understand and protect biodiversity.

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is an ecological term that encompasses all the different kinds of living organisms of an area. Biodiversity is important because every species—large and small—plays a role in enhancing the productivity of the system of life. A greater diversity of species helps to ensure sustained life. For example, a greater number of native insect species equals a greater variety of beneficial insects that can reduce populations of insects that are harmful to crops. In addition to species diversity, biodiversity includes the diversity of habitats and ecosystems as well as the genetic diversity (also known as the variation in genes) within each species. An invasive species, such as kudzu, harms biodiversity because it aggressively takes over ecosystems, shutting out native species from their preferred habitat and decreasing genetic diversity. Healthy habitats support many different species. A BioBlitz measures and demonstrates local biodiversity — it is a sample of the life within a given area. Community members team up with scientists to find and identify as many living species as possible during the BioBlitz. During the scientist-led walks, participants learn about herbaceous plants, trees, mammals, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. They also learn about the importance of biodiversity and benefit from spending time outdoors.