We are in the process of acquiring historic documents and resources regarding Waller's historic biodiversity. To our knowledge information for most taxonomic groups is lacking or very old. It is important that we update that information. To do this we're implementing bioblitzes that include both scientist and public involvement.
Documenting the biodiversity of Waller Creek in a scientifically defensible way, via photo-vouchers or preferably collection of museum specimens, is at the heart of this project. The images and specimens we produce will provide baseline data for understanding and conserving Waller Creek's ecosystem. Specimens deposited in UT's Biodiversity Collections will persist indefinitely and not only be used by researchers studying Waller Creek's flora and fauna, but also by scientists interested in much broader questions including evolution and ecosystem/organism change over time. Images submitted to our project on iNaturalist will be archived permanently as well and serve to document the occurrence of a species at a particular place and time. The two types of scientific vouchering work well in concert since the number of specimens we can collect is limited due to ethical and logistical reasons, including the fact that there are a limited number of people trained to make scientific collections. But photography is far less invasive and nearly anyone can take a photograph.
If you are interested in being involved with our sampling efforts please let us know via our communications form.
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Our first bioblitz will be on April 10, 2016: Details, including locations and times, are being worked out