2012 ATBI Conference

2012 ATBI Conference

Saturday, February 18, 2012

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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is considered by some to be one of the most biodiverse places in North America. It is here, in the midst of such species richness, that Discover Life in America (DLIA) is conducting an ongoing project to inventory all species that exist in the Park. The All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) seeks to inventory every species of living organisms in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The project continues to develop checklists, reports, maps, databases, GIS tools, and natural history profiles that describe the biology of this rich landscape to a wide audience.

To date, the ATBI has found 7391 new species within the park, including 922 that are new to science.

Next month, Discover Life in America is proud to be putting on the 15th annual All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory Conference. The conference will be held over three days - March 22-24th - at the Glenstone Lodge in beautiful Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Although the main focus of the event is the presentation of scientific ATBI research, the conference will include field trips in the Smokies, nature hikes, photography, fund-raising auctions, and book signings. The conference is open to scientists, researchers, educators, the press, and interested members of the public.

Some of the field trips scheduled for this year include The Best Wildflower Hike in the Smokies with Janet Rock, GPS Basics, and Animal Tracking.

World renowned biologist Dr. E.O. Wilson will give the keynote address at Discover Life in America's ATBI Conference on March 23rd. Edward O. Wilson was recently called “one of the most important biological theorists since Darwin” by The New York Times. There will also be a chance to see and hear Dr. Wilson on March 24, 2012 at 6 p.m. at the Knoxville Museum of Art with a "Special Evening with E.O. Wilson," which is a fundraiser for Discover Life in America.

For more information, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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DLIA Biodiversity Hike to Mt. LeConte

DLIA Biodiversity Hike to Mt. LeConte

Saturday, August 6, 2011

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Discover Life in America will be hosting its annual Biodiversity Hike to the Mt. LeConte Lodge over the weekend of September 3rd and 4th. The hike will be guided by an expert naturalist, and will include a picnic lunch on the Alum Cave Trail, as well as dinner and breakfast at the LeConte Lodge.

DLIA executive director Todd Witcher will be giving a presentation on the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory project, and park service staff will hold a sunset program at Cliff Tops.

The mission of DLIA is the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI), a joint effort with the National Park Service, that aims to identify and record every single species within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To date, the ATBI has discovered 910 species that are new to science, and 7101 species that are new to the Smokies. Click here for a summary of these discoveries.

The cost for the Biodiversity Hike is $275 per person, which includes meals, lodging, as well as support for DLIA . To reserve one of the limited spaces, call Todd Witcher at 865-430-4756, or email him at todd@dlia.org or click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Invasive Species: The Biggest Threat to Biodiversity?

Invasive Species: The Biggest Threat to Biodiversity?

Sunday, November 15, 2009

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Discover Life in America is inviting supporters and admirers of Great Smoky Mountain National Park to join them on December 9-12 for the annual All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) conference titled, "Invasive Species: The Biggest Threat to Biodiversity?"

DLIA will be holding the 2009 ATBI Conference this year in Gatlinburg, Tennessee at the Riverside Terrace Resort and Conference Center.

This year's conference will provide several informative activities for everyone, including:

* ATBI science talks
* Smokies' air quality update
* Smokies' save the Hemlocks update
* Silent and live auctions to raise funds to help support the Smokies' ATBI
* A nature photographer workshop
* A full day for Educators at all levels
* Workshops that include: GPS use session, Schoolyard ATBI, Grant writing, Lost proofing, Waterbears, How to write a NSF grant, Citizen Science, "Getting everyone Involved," and much, much more!
* Scientific poster sessions
* Fantastic field trips
* Keynote address and a reception with celebrated, invasive biologist, Dr. Daniel Simberloff
* Updates from ATBI's across the country
* The conference culminating event is "The Great Smoky Mountains Salamander Ball" at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies!

The All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory is a unique ecological undertaking to find and document every species of life in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, from ferns and fungi to birds and beetles. The effort began in 1998 and is serving as a model for efforts to document the diversity of life throughout the nation, at other National Parks, State Parks, and in other preserves, large and small.

To date over 900 species have been identified that are new to science and over 6,400 species have been identified that are new records for the Smokies!

For a more detailed schedule; registration forms; or to volunteer, please click here.

Questions and/or to register for the conference, please contact Heather MacCulloch at 865-430-4756 or e-mail at heather@dlia.org.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

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DLIA 1st Annual Firefly Festival at the Happy Hiker

DLIA 1st Annual Firefly Festival at the Happy Hiker

Sunday, June 7, 2009

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Discover Life in America (DLIA) will be holding the 1st Annual Firefly Festival in the Smokies (PDF link for more info) this coming Friday, June 12, at the Happy Hiker in Gatlinburg.

The Firefly Festival offers a snapshot of the wondrous biodiversity found in the GreatSmoky Mountains.

The festival will include music, food & drink, an insect zoo, opportunities to ask questions of a firefly expert, meet a local nature author, children’s activities, and much more.

The Firefly Festival will be held from 10AM – 6PM in the Happy Hiker parking lot, located at 905 River Road in Gatlinburg.

For more information on the synchronous fireflies and a short video, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Smoky Mountain Cabins Check out our new page for cabin and chalet listings in the Smokies!

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Smoky Mountains: Extreme Ecological Diversity

Smoky Mountains: Extreme Ecological Diversity

Friday, August 15, 2008

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Most people familiar with the Smoky Mountains already know that the park has a very diverse ecosystem. However, the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) study is proving that the Smokies are far more diverse than anyone ever thought.

As widely reported last month, the ATBI has already identified 16,570 species in the Smokies, including 6,129 species new to the park and 890 that are new to science.

The web site for Discover Life in America (DLIA), the non-profit organization coordinating the ATBI, reports that the study has already discovered 36 new species of lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), 23 species of hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants, etc.), 57 fungi, 270 bacteria and 11 viruses – all new to science.

Additionally, the inventory has discovered seven birds previously unknown in the park. The only mammal to be documented as new to the park was the Evening Bat, which was first recorded in the park near Parson's Branch during the summer of 1999.

As I was perusing the web site my curiosity led me to see if the ATBI has found any evidence of mountain lions. Despite a few recent unconfirmed reports, the study has yet to find any evidence of the big cat in the Smokies.

Sightings of bald eagles have been well documented in the Smokies. In fact, they’ve been known to nest in the region. What surprised me, however, was the report of a few rare sightings of golden eagles in Cades Cove and along the AT.

Although the study is still in progress, it’s estimated that the ecosystem harbors as many as 100,000 different species.

Over the last ten years more than 1,000 scientists and students have been involved with the study. An additional 50,000 hours of volunteer time has been logged to help with the project as well.

The success of the project has created a bit of a problem for the ATBI. Additionally, there are an increasing number of national parks that are launching their own all-species inventories that’s resulting in a global shortage of taxonomists. The ATBI in the Smokies is trying to lure hard-to-get taxonomists with mini-grants as well as using the allure of being involved in the world’s premier species inventory.

With the study expected to take another 5 years, and with data and specimen analysis lasting many years thereafter, the ATBI will have to hope that scientists will consider the Smoky Mountains as the most prestigious option for pursuing their profession.

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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