In just two days, hundred of scientists, students, and members of the public will head out into Rocky Mountain National Park as part of the 2012 National Geographic BioBlitz. Their goal: count as many different species in the park as possible in a 24-hour period. The ornithologist will count birds. The water bug specialist will count water bugs. The vascular plant scientist will help identify and count different species of trees, wetland shrubs, and grasses. And they’ll do it all with help and participation from students and visitors to the park.
Using the FieldScope tool, you can compare damage to Rocky Mountain forests from mountain pine beetles from 2001 to 2011. For those of you who can’t be in the park this coming Friday and Saturday, we invite you to explore the geography of the park yourself, with the National Geographic FieldScope interactive map. We’ll be using FieldScope to upload data collected at the event, including wildlife photos collected by participants with Project Noah. FieldScope is also a great tool for exploring the geography of the park. Check out the FieldScope project, and here are a few activities to get you started.
Get to Know a National Park with FieldScope
Tracing the Headwaters
Tracking an Epidemic of Insects
Rocky Mountain National Park is home to the headwaters of the famous Colorado River. Here a user explores water features throughout the park.