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  What is a BioBlitz? 

    A BioBlitz is a large scale field project that allow scientists to assess the

    biodiversity, or the number and distribution of species, in a given

    environment.  Originally conducted strictly for scientific purposes,

    many bioblitz now also incorporate public education to help promote

    awareness of biodiversity and it's importance in maintaining healthy

    ecosystems.

                  Click on the links below to learn more about:

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                             The Importance of Biodiversity

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                             The SMU BioBlitz Research Project

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                             SMU BioBlitz Public Education and Activities

Why Measure Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is a measure of the number and distribution of species within an ecosystem.  This information allows researchers to learn about the structure of the ecosystem's food web, or relationships between predators and prey, which is an important indicator of the health of an environment!

Biodiversity and the Strenth of Ecosystems

Predator/prey relationships are described as food webs to illustrate the complex interactions between the organisms and factors that makeup an ecosystem.  As a general rule of thumb (there are exceptions) the more diverse an ecosystem, the more resilient the system is to stressors such as climate change, natural disasters, human impact or disease.  Alternately an ecosystem with a low level of diversity is far more vulnerable to these stressors.

A good analogy to the importance of biodiversity in an ecosystem is a comparison between a chain and a chain link fence. Imagine a chain with five links in it - if even one link is removed the entire chain is broken. Now  imagine a chain link fence with a web of connections between a large  number links.  If a link is removed from the fence, one part of the fence is  weakened, but the fence as a whole remains entact.  The same principal applies to biodiversity in an ecosystem.

The Impact of Invasive Species on Biodiversity

Scientists are especially interested in measuring the number and distribution of invasive species, or organisms that do not occur naturally in a given environment, during a bioblitz.  Invasive species are a growing problem worldwide due to the growth of international trade and travel, which often leads to the accidental transportation of foreign species into local environments.  Many of these foreign species flourish in new environments, and can outcompete native species for resources such as nutrients and water or cause destruction through parasitism or disease.  As a result most invasive species have a negative impact on biodiversity. 

For example Ophiostoma, a tree fungus from the Asian continent, was accidentally carried into Eastern Canada on imported timber during World War II.  The fungus, which is benign in Asian ecosystems, is incredibly damaging to North American Elm trees.  Since it's introduction to Canada the fungus - now known as Dutch Elm Disease - has spread as far West as Saskatchewan, wiping out almost half of the native Elm trees in Canada. The Canadian government is working hard to prevent the further spread of this destructive fungus through the use of intensive spraying programs, restrictions on timber trading, and public education.

Want to know what kind of species can be found at a BioBlitz? Visit the species page.

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The SMU BioBlitz Research Project

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This intensive biodiversity survey is a "race against the clock" where teams of scientists and students work to locate and identify as many species as possible within 24-hours!  The result of hard work, enthusiasm, and a steady flow of coffee - BioBlitz researchers typically identify hundreds of species in this remarkably short time frame. The results are used to assess the health of the local environment!

Research Areas

The focus of most bioblitz is to complete a one time evaluation of biodiversity in an ecosystem.  However, the scientists behind the SMU BioBlitz Research Project (BBRP) also plan to use this field study as a way to monitor changes in biodiversity over time. 

Nova Scotia, like all large environments, is made up of a series of small ecosystems and habitats.  BBRP organizers plan to identify seven or eight research areas that represent a cross section of Nova Scotia's primary ecosystems.  One research area will be visited every year until each site is surveyed once.  The project will then cycle back to the begining and the BBRP will systematically revisit each of the designated research areas.  This means each site will eventually be surveyed once every seven or eight years, allowing scientists to compare their results and evaluate changes in each system's biodiversity over time.

This year's BioBlitz research area is a roughly 650 acre section of Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park, located just outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Due to the park's proximity to the ocean it is designated a "temperate near shore ecosystem." The dynamic habitat - which is easily one of the most harsh biological environments in Nova Scotia - promises to be an exciting location for this year's BioBlitz!

Organization

Scientists, students and qualified volunteers are broken into research teams known as "Twigs."  Each twig is given a designated taxa group (i.e. mammals or insects) to focus their search.  The teams then spread out across the research area and search for signs of any species belonging to their taxa group.  Once a species is located researchers must then correctly identify the critter, often using field guides, microscopes or other equipment to find the minute characteristics that distinguish one species from another.

Previous twigs designations have included mammals, birds, insects and amphibians among others. To learn about this year's twig groups, please visit the twigs page!

Participation

Saint Mary's University professors Dr. Hugh Broders and Dr. Tim Frasier spearhead the Saint Mary's University BioBlitz Research Project (BBRP) as the event's Chief Scientists.  In collaboration with the SMU BioBlitz Steering Committee and with fellow scientists from Universities, the environmental community, and the provincial/federal government they organize the twig leadership and structure of the BBRP.

Twigs are typically led by a principal scientist who specializes in the twig's designated taxa group. Joining him/her on the team are other scientists, members of the environmental community, graduate and undergraduate university students, and volunteers knowledgeable in identification methods.  To learn more about how to join a twig group please visit the twigs page or email us.

Results

Each species identified during the BioBlitz is documented and added to our rapidly expanding species database.  Researchers include information such as the quantity and distribution of the species, as well as any unusual biological finds (i.e. the presense of disease, mutations or parasites) in the database entries.  As a result our species database is a tremendous resource of biological data for both the surveyed area and for Nova Scotia in general!  To find out more about SMU BioBlitz results please visit the result page.

Activities

In addition to the species survey there is also a large public education and outreach component to this event.   To find out more please see below or visit the activities page.

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SMU BioBlitz Public Education Initiative

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BioBlitz is not just for scientists! Event organizers also recognize the importance of education and public engagement in successfully protecting biodiversity in Nova Scotia.  The SMU BioBlitz Public Education Initiative provides educational content during the event, and is growing to include work in local schools through the year.

Education During the Event

• Environmental Pavilion: Saint Mary's University collaborates with a variety of environmental organizations each year to create this education centre during the event.  Inside you'll find educational materials and resources, interactive exhibits, and engaging family friendly activities led by volunteer educators. Visit the sponsors page to find out more about this year's participating organizations.

• SMU BioBlitz Research Station:  Scientists taking part in the BioBlitz Research Project use this station as their "home base" during the survey.  A hot spot of activitiy BioBlitz researchers are constantly in and out of the station as they work to identify and document the hundreds of critters found in the park.  Take advantage of this unique opportunity to interact with the scientists as they use microscopes and other field equipment to complete their research!

• Outdoor Activities:  Each year several participating organizations volunteer to lead free outdoor activities for the public.  Designed to engage visitors in the local environment, these activities are typically low-impact and appropriate for all ages.  Previous BioBlitz activities include guided kayak tours, hikes, and beach walks. 

         To find out more about public education for this year's event please visit the activities page.

Outreach During the Year

• School and Museum Visits:  Although the bulk of the BioBlitz Public Education Initiative is focused on the day of the event, organizers are beginning to expand the initiative to include visits to local schools and museums.  Contact us at bioblitz@smu.ca to find out how to bring BioBlitz Educators to your school!

• Biodiversity Curriculum and Teaching Resources:  SMU BioBlitz educators are working in collaboration with the region's school system and with organizers of other bioblitz events across North America to develop educational resources for teachers.  Although still in the very early stages, we hope to eventually provide teachers with the tools they need to bring biodiversity into the classroom!

Educational Resources and Links

• Download this Connect-the-Dots BioBlitz Worksheet from the Community Based Environmental Monitoring Network!

• National Geographic holds an annual BioBlitz in the United States.  Visit the National Geographic BioBlitz Education Page to view their educational resources and downloads!