It is a called the Valley of the Moon, a desolate rocky stretch of land in Namibia, where few plants grow, and where the most interesting feature is the variety of mineral rocks and semi-precious stones. The few plants and animals that do survive have adapted to this harsh climate over thousands of years. The diversity of life is very low, and without adequate supplies, “civilized” man would not survive there for very long.

(Bumblebee on Mallow - click for larger image)

A wide diversity of plants and animals is vital for man’s survival for such requirements as food, habitation, transport, medicine and recreation amongst many others. Yet overuse of these natural resources that enrich life with such variety and usefulness, is threatening their future - hopefully to not result in a world where all places look much like the Valley of the Moon in Namibia. Already there are ominous signs; drought difficulties in Australia, mysterious disappearance of bees, melting of ice and glaciers, C02 saturation of the oceans, etc.

(Museum of Natural History Station - click for larger image)

On Saturday 12th May, an event called BioBlitz was held at Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens to bring attention to the importance of Biodiversity. This event involved the counting of all species seen in a 24-hour period in 18 acres around Mission Creek in the Gardens. A beautiful website was constructed for this event and is included in the “Links of Interest” section at the end of the post. Santa Barbara is located in one of the Biodiversity Hotspots of the world - the California Floristic Province.

(Channel Island Fox and Bald Eagle - click for larger image)

Many stations were placed around the Garden, and included displays from the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, The Channel Islands, The Channel Islands Restoration, Arroyo Hondo Preserve, Santa Barbara Creeks, Community Environmental Council amongst others. There were other activities such as slideshows, videos, wildflower and study-site tours, and games.

(Kids Hands-on - click for larger image)

It was very heartening to see many children reacting to the displays and getting involved in hands-on activities, such as the flower-making and the observation of bugs and other critters. After all they will be the future guardians of hopefully most of the many forms of life that currently inhabit the planet.

(Anna’s Hummingbird - click for larger image)

After the counting period from 3pm Friday to 3pm Saturday, tentative results of 800+ species (subject to verification and some further identification) were announced. I seem to remember that 58+ species of birds were counted.

Links of Interest

• Santa Barbara Botanic Garden BioBlitz Page
  
• BioBlitz Santa Barbara
• Santa Barbara Independent Article
  
• Biodiversity Hotspots
• The Environmental Literacy Council