The BioBlitz is a species identification and data collection event where Scientists, naturalists, and volunteers catalog as many critters as possible during a 24-hour period.
A BioBlitz is a rare opportunity for the general public to engage with scientists, educators, naturalists as part of a scienctific endeavor. The 24-hour events gather scientists and volunteers to catalog more than 400 creepers and crawlers, plants and pollinators, mammals and fish.
The American Littoral Society, in partnership with the National Park Service, hosted BioBlitzes in Gateway National Recreation Area. At each more than 150 scientists, naturalists, and volunteers raced against the clock to identify as many species as possible during the 24-hour period. In addition to collecting important scientific data, the BioBlitz demonstrated the importance of Sandy Hook as a habitat to the many members of the public that visit the park. Adults and children of all ages took part in seining programs, a tour of the holly forest, and a night time sky watch. There were also many opportunities for the public to interact with the scientists and naturalists participating in the species count.
The American Littoral Society, in partnership with the National Park Service, hosted BioBlitzes in Gateway National Recreation Area. At each more than 150 scientists, naturalists, and volunteers raced against the clock to identify as many species as possible during the 24-hour period. In addition to collecting important scientific data, the BioBlitz demonstrated the importance of Sandy Hook as a habitat to the many members of the public that visit the park. Adults and children of all ages took part in seining programs, a tour of the holly forest, and a night time sky watch. There were also many opportunities for the public to interact with the scientists and naturalists participating in the species count.
Event Highlights
- Dr. Richard Lathrop of Rutgers University, led the mammal team and used an app to identify bats during a nocturnal prowl. Five species of bats were identified including Eastern red, hoary, evening, little brown, and silver haired. He also set camera traps which captured a family of raccoons in the holly forest.
- Jeff Dement, the Littoral Society’s Fish Tagging Director, along with Thomas Grothues lead the fish team. Students from MAST and Rutgers University were eager to join in on the fun, and were not disappointed. Large juvenile black drum were caught in the 50 foot seine net, as well as some rarities including crevalle jack, half beak, and mojarra.
- The bird team was also very successful with a total of 75 species identified. Fall migration was in full swing at Sandy Hook and many warblers were observed.
- Dr. Russel Burke’s team from Hofstra University successfully doubled the reptile count from the last BioBlitz from 1 to 2. A diamondback terrapin and a snapping turtle were observed. He noted that a spring BioBlitz might offer better conditions for a reptile and amphibian count.
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Results
Birds – 75
Fungi/Lichen – 12 Fish – 21 Reptiles/Amphibians - 2 Marine Invertebrates – 44 Insects – 2 Mammals – 13 Aquatic Plants – 15 Terrestrial Plants - 87 |
The BioBlitz was conceived by world renowned entymologist, Edward O. Wilson. It is part scientific endeavor, part festival, part competition and part educational event. A Bioblitz takes a snapshot of the biodiversity of a specific geographic area, counting how many different species can be found rather than the size of specific species populations.
