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Central Park BioBlitz
June 27-28, 2003

PRELIMINARY RESULTS

At noon on Friday, June 27, 2003, hundreds of volunteers joined teams of scientists in a 24-hour survey of the diversity of plant, animal and microbial life in New York's Central Park. Central Park has a perimeter of 6 miles, surrounding 150 acres of water bodies, 250 of lawns and 136 acres of woodlands. With a total of 843 acres, the Park is home to thousands of species and organisms.

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Central Park Conservancy President Regina Peruggi were on hand to launch the BioBlitz at noon on June 27 along with naturalist Jim Fowler of The Today Show, underwater expert Dr. Sylvia Earle, and writer George Plimpton.
SPECIES FOUND: 867
(click on category for details)
# Species
Plants:
393
Other Invertebrates:
102
Moths:
78
Birds:
51
Fungi:
44
Fish
11
Mammals:
10
Spiders:
10
Dragonflies:
9
Turtles:
5
Frogs:
2
Tardigrades:
2
Pending further analysis:
150

Microsoft Corporation , as the official technology provider for the Central Park BioBlitz, developed Bioblitz software applications for their Tablet PC that enabled scientists to collect and manage their data quickly and accurately.

Scientists young and old braved the shrubs with nets and plumbed the muddy depths of the Central Park Lake.

Two varieties of Tardigrades, a microscopic life form which exists on moss and lichens, were identified during the BioBlitz. This is the first time this Phyllum has been identified in Central Park.
 
 

Participant Organizations
Central Park BioBlitz is a project of The Explorers Club, a non-profit organization committed to the continuing effort of exploration and discovery around the world, in collaboration with the following organizations:

  • The Brooklyn Botanic Garden
  • The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History
  • The Central Park Conservancy
  • The New York City Audubon Society
  • The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
  • The NYS Biodiversity Research Institute at the New York State Museum
  • The Wildlife Conservation Society
  • The Wildlife Trust
    The 2003 Central Park BioBlitz was coordinated by Suzi Zetkus, Chair of The Explorers Club Conservation Committee.

    PHOTOS courtesy of Richard Wiese & Harriet Snyder

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