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G1-8 Biology Department: BioBlitz Event in Shanghai Botanical Garden

May 24, 2023

To celebrate the International Day of Biodiversity 2023, the Shanghai Botanical Garden organized a BioBlitz event on May 21st. Some students from our school participated in this activity.

BioBlitz refers to a biological species survey conducted within a designated area during a specified time period. "Bio" comes from the Greek word meaning "life," and "Blitz" is a German word meaning "lightning war." The BioBlitz event aims to highlight biodiversity, especially during the International Flower Exhibition, when the Shanghai Botanical Garden shows a wide variety of flowers and rich species diversity. Through the BioBlitz event, participants, guided by relevant experts and scholars in biology, engaged in a time-limited exploration, identification, and recording of biological species and their quantities within specific areas. With the assistance of these professionals, participants not only got to experience the diverse life forms around us, but also gained a deeper understanding of the natural ecology of the botanical garden.

The students were divided into four groups: birds, insects, plants, and aquatic organisms. The bird group students held binoculars and followed the experts' footsteps, observing and recording the names and characteristics of birds. The appearance of a kestrel surprised everyone. The insect group students carried nets to collect and record a variety of insect families. The plant group students carefully observed the stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of plants and made detailed records. The aquatic organism group students "captured" various organisms, and it was particularly exciting when they even caught a turtle! After examining and recording the various creatures they have captured, everyone released them back into their natural habitats.

The BioBlitz activity concluded after a little over an hour, leaving everyone wanting more. Many expressed their determination to continue observing and recording species in the future. This event allowed students to step out of the classroom and witness the biodiversity that often goes unnoticed. It enabled them to understand the value of nature and the wilderness and further realize the importance of protecting biodiversity and the ecological environment.

Written by Rongzhang Hu

Pictures by G1-8 Science Teachers

Edited by Serene Yang, Elaine Zhu (Intern), Niall Keenan