Denali National Park and Preserve Holds First Invertebrate Bioblitz

Date: July 24, 2014
Contact: Kris Fister, 907-683-9583

DENALI PARK, Alaska: Researchers from Massachusetts, Arkansas, and Alaska will conduct Denali National Park and Preserve's first invertebrate bioblitz, an intense period of biological surveying with the purpose of documenting as much biodiversity as possible.

The bioblitz team consisting of Logan Mullen, graduate student at University Alaska Fairbanks (beetles); Dan Bogan, with the Alaska Natural Heritage Program at the University of Alaska Anchorage, (aquatic insects); Ashley Dowling and three graduate students from the University of Arkansas (aquatic and terrestrial mites) and Jessica Rykken with the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University (bees and syrphid flies) will travel the Denali Park Road for a three-day period beginning Sunday, July 27,searching for a diverse range of invertebrates in streams, ponds, edges of snowfields, and areas of high plant diversity. They will be based at the Murie Science and Learning Center Field Camp located in the Teklanika River Campground (Mile 29).

This initial scientific effort may lead to future collaborations and expanded studies, as has been the case with bioblitzes taking place in other national parks.

On Saturday, July 26 the researchers will participate in the Denali Bug Bio-Blitz, an all-day series of public activities, workshops, and presentations relating to invertebrates taking place at the Murie Science and Learning Center in the park's entrance area.The Denali Bug Bio-Blitz will provide an opportunity for people of all ages to interact closely with scientists in the process of biodiversity discovery. Additional information is available at https://go.nps.gov/DenaliBioBlitz or by calling 907-683-6432.

www.nps.gov