The Biosphere Blitz is looking to create a benchmark for species diversity across the mid-Island. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

biosphere blitz

Local group tracking change in plant and animal species through central Island

Apr 9, 2022 | 5:32 AM

NANAIMO — It’s a weekend-long survey of the world around us and it’s designed to better understand how it’s changing.

The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region are holding their annual biosphere blitz event, encouraging people across the mid-Island to get outside and document what they see.

Mandy Hobkirk, event coordinator, told NanaimoNewsNOW they’re looking for people to snap photos of any plant or animal species they see in the area to help create a benchmark of the world around us.

“We’re looking for everything, our goal is to obtain a snapshot of the biodiversity that’s found within our region. That can be plants, animals, marine organisms, birds, absolutely anything that you see is living and you can record and upload to the project page.”

Photos and observations can be entered to the event’s page on the iNaturalist app between Friday, April 8 and Sunday, April 10.

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Hobkirk said they will use the data and provide a summary report in the summer, looking at any species at risk or invasive species taking over the region.

“Potentially we could see a spread of invasive species or a decline in species that are at risk, so by collecting this data year after year we’re able to see how these trends change over time.”

The group has been collecting data on a smaller scale since 2016 while this year will mark the second one in a row they’ve used the iNaturalist app to collect more widespread observations.

Comparing to 2021 will give MABR their first glimpse at how our central Island region is changing.

More information on the Biosphere Blitz, along with links to the app and associated groups, is available on their website.

The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region are looking to get a snapshot of plants and animals in and around the Arrowsmith region and use it as a benchmark for future comparison. (MABR)

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