Illinois Natural History Survey - University of Illinois

Bio Blitz Collects 2000+ Species in 24 Hours

During June 29-30, the Survey undertook a unique exercise--a 24-hour, all-taxa survey of a designated site in central Illinois--the Biodiversity Blitz. The Survey has been in the biological inventory business for over 140 years, amassing enormous collections and data centered around Illinois biodiversity, but this event presented several challenges. Exactly what does it take to do an all-species inventory in a defined time slot? The answer is not so simple.

First, a suitable site is needed, in this case, the University of Illinois' Robert Allerton Park near Monticello, IL. Allerton was chosen because it has a diversity of habitats, is virtually an island surrounded by agricultural lands, and was large enough to be challenging yet small enough to be doable.

Second, it takes a cadre of scientists with a great variety of knowledge and skills--everything from protozoology to mammalogy. For the Blitz, over 160 scientists participated. The entomologists had the most scientists, 47, but other groups were well represented. The list included 16 botanists, 8 ornithologists, 7 mam-mologists, 5 herpetologists, and even a lone sponge specialist! Scientists were divided into two groups. Level One scientists were leaders of groups and were responsible for the identification of the organisms they found. Level Two scientists served as collectors, curators, and other types of field assistants.

Third, it takes dedication and organization. The Illinois Natural History Survey, with help from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the University of Illinois, provided that. A Survey committee organized the event over a period of nine months. Many details associated with the event had to be dealt with in a relatively systematic way.

Fourth, it takes motivation and the desire to do something special. The Survey undertook the first-ever midwestern Biodiversity Blitz for several reasons:

--to determine the overall biodiversity of Allerton Park

--to bring the issue of biodiversity to the attention of Illinois citizens

-- to showcase how biological surveys are conducted

--to provide a unique natural resource event to usher in the new millennium

--to break the temperate zone blitz record for species found in 24 hours,1,905 species found at Walden Pond in 1998.

All of the above came together at the historic Red Barn at Allerton Park. The goal was simple--to find as many different species as possible within the park. The fact that the Walden Pond record lurked on the horizon was also part of the motivation for our event. For 24 very special hours the Red Barn was turned into a taxonomy laboratory with wave after wave of scientists working at preparation and identification of specimens. In addition, field crews of ornithologists, mammologists, herpetologists, icthyologists, and malacologists surveyed Allerton for sitings or signs of organisms in their groups.

In addition to all the scientific work, a series of outdoor presentations on various topics were given for the general public during daylight hours on both days of the blitz. Each of the 10 presentations was well attended and allowed citizens to directly interact with the scientists. A further activity was field excursions whereby citizens could accompany scientists into the field and assist with their work. Perhaps the most popular excursion was mist-netting for bats. The participants were treated to the capture and release of two species of Illinois bats.

To record all this information in a systematic and scientifically valid manner required the modification of an existing database and setting up a portable computer network system within the Red Barn. Database entry people came from the Survey administrative staff and from a local high school. The 24 hours of intense biological labor resulted in a mass of data that overwhelmed the data entry folks for a time. Everyone left the event satisfied with their effort, but wondering if they indeed had the record. Although the final count is not yet in, the tentative number is over 2,000 species! In short, Allerton Park is one very diverse and special place.

Michael Jeffords, Center for Economic Entomology

Charlie Warwick, editor