|
BioBlitz - is an action invented a dozen years ago in the USA to promote understanding of the importance of biodiversity. It brings together as many biologists-taxonomists as possible in a well-known, publicly accessible place (a city park, a lakeside or seaside swimming area) to find and identify as many animal and plant species as possible in twenty-four hours. The first Bioblitz in Poland was organised by the Marine Research Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Sopot in May 2008, with subsequent Bioblitzes taking place in 2009 again in Sopot (29 May 2009) and in Nowy Dwór Gdański (13 June 2009). An action in Warsaw is being prepared (14-15 September 2009). We encourage other centres to take up this initiative - it combines elements of a science picnic, popularising knowledge and contributing to an understanding of the value of nature around us. A version for schools has been prepared by National Geographic. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A BioBlitz is a 24-hour inventory of all living organisms in a given area, often an urban park. The term "BioBlitz" was coined by National Park Service naturalist Susan Rudy while assisting with the first BioBlitz at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Washington D.C. BioBlitz in May 31 - June 1, 1996. Approximately 1000 species were identified at this event. This early BioBlitz was conceived and organised by Sam Droege (USGS) and Dan Roddy (NPS), and inspired many other organisations to do the same. The bioblitz name and concept is not registered, copyrighted, or trademarked; it is an idea that can be used, adapted, and modified by any group to freely use for their own purposes. The next year, 1997, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History conducted a BioBlitz in one of the Pittsburgh parks. They added a public component, inviting the public to see what the scientists were doing. At about the same time Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson and Massachusetts wildlife expert Peter Alden developed a program to catalog the organisms around Walden Pond, which led to a state-wide program known as biodiversity Days. A bioblitz has the dual aims of establishing the degree of biodiversity in an area and popularising science. Botanists, mycologists and entomologists all play a role. Some BioBlitzes are an annual event. Scientists establish a base at a point close to the area and provide expertise in identifying organisms found by the public as well as doing their own inspection of the area. A full BioBlitz must take place over a full 24-hour period as different organisms are likely to be found at different times of day. Schools may organise BioBlitzes over a shorter period of time, but the results will less accurately show the variety of species in the area. « home |
| Sopot-Gdynia | Tromsø | Dublin | Oristano |