More than 70 volunteers, ecologists and scientists have identified nearly 400 native species at a weekend Bioblitz near York.
The rapid 24-hour hunt involved the search and identification of flora and fauna including insects, in a 200-hectare patch of bush land just west of the town.
The base location of the blitz was the York Golf Club.
Natural resource management group Wheatbelt NRM organised the event, which uncovered barking geckos, wishbone trap door spiders and sand scorpions.
Wheatbelt NRM landcare facilitator Leigh Whisson said he was waiting for official identification of the Trigger Plant, or “Stylidium”, a priority species under the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
He said the day was very successful.
These events give the scientific and general community the chance to interact and improve outcomes for the management of private and public bush land
- Wheatbelt NRM regional landcare facilitator Leigh Whisson
“We’ve found a really healthy ecosystem at the Oswald Sergeant Reserve,” Leigh Whisson said.
“This is helped along by the eight different types of habitats, ranging from young woodlands through to old growth Powderbark Wandoo forest.
“There’s also high diversity within the mammal population, including brush tail possums, echidnas and 40 plus bird species.”
This Bioblitz also made use of remote cameras to access nests and hollows, with volunteers camping and searching through the night.
“These events give the scientific and general community the chance to interact and improve outcomes for the management of private and public bush land,” Leigh Whisson said.
“We can now use this information to help fund numerous projects through the Australian government’s National Landcare Programme.”
A BioBlitz brings together community members and groups who are interested in learning more about their natural environment.
It attracts professional and amateur biologists, scientists, ecologists and naturalists, to help build upon the scientific knowledge and understanding of one part of the State’s diverse animal and plant life, ecological communities, and environmental resources.
Team leaders, who specialise in invertebrates, flora, reptiles and birds, lead smaller groups aiming to identify as many species of plant, animal and fungi as possible over a 24 hour period in a particular location.
For information or to be involved next time visit www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au.
