What is a BioBlitz? A BioBlitz is a 24-hour period where teams of volunteer scientists along with community members work together to find and identify as many species of plants, animals, microbes, fungi and other organisms as possible in one particular area.
Earlier this month the Ancient Forest Alliance organized a BioBlitz at Echo Lake – one of the few remaining old growth forests in the Lower Mainland. Six entomologists, one zoologist and two botanists from our Museum took part.
Fungi from the Echo Lake BioBlitz.
The botanists had an exciting discovery of a Brotherella roelii (a type of moss) that is a red listed species meaning it is endangered. 76 bryophyte (non-vascular plants like moss) species were identified. The entomology team collected about 170 specimens that have all been processed and are waiting to be identified. The team was thrilled to find one blue listed dragonfly.
Berlese funnel at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum.
We have had a lovely “South Okanagan in the summer” scent infusing the curatorial hallway thanks to the Berlese funnel that the entomology team set up upon their return. During the BioBlitz a couple of fearless people climbed to the top of an old growth tree and got a large piece of moss (a moss mat). In the Berlese funnel, a heat and light source above the moss causes the arthropods (insects, arachnids, etc.) to move away from it, out of the moss, and down into the funnel.
Western Red-backed Salimander at the Echo Lake BioBlitz – only found in southwestern BC and Vancouver Island.
Although the actual BioBlitz is only 24 hours, the identification of what was seen takes a lot longer. Our team is working tirelessly on putting together a list of species from the Echo Lake BioBlitz.
BioBlitzes take place all across Canada and around the world. A lot of them use the hashtag #bioblitz on twitter if you want to follow along.