Using the iNaturalist app to record and identify species, 354 observers logged 26,268 observations across the city during the last weekend of April, uncovering 2281 species. The annual challenge encourages people to photograph and document plants, animals and fungi around them, helping build a clearer picture of urban biodiversity. This year schools were able to take part in a bigger way for the first time, with Environment Canterbury’s Enviroschools team helping tamariki learn identification skills and use the app. Events across the weekend included mini
bio-blitzes in parks, guided walks, and talks from biodiversity experts from Canterbury and Lincoln universities The challenge also highlighted how much remains undiscovered, even in urban areas. Worldwide, more than 76,000 species were documented during the challenge, with more than three million observations made by 106,354 participants across 61 countries. More than 70 species were identified for the first time. Christchurch finished 20th out of 770 participating cities globally. Scaly black millipedes found Most observations: Noah made 2008 observations of 650 species in just three
days.Most observations by a new iNaturalist user: Anabel contributed 439 observations during the challenge.Most species observed: Noah topped the charts with 650, and second place was Nathan with 481.Biosecurity award: Sean made the first research grade observation from Canterbury of the Portuguese millipede, Ommatoiulus moreleti.Most funky fungi: William for the second iNaturalist observation of the rust fungus Puccinia helichrysicola.Bodacious bird: Ian grabbed the 20th Christchurch district observation of a White-winged tern.Schools Challenge: Te Waka Unua.
iNaturalist, urban biodiversity, Christchurch, schools challenge, Enviroschools, Environment Canterbury, bio-blitz, species observations, insects, birds, fungi