MicroBlitz is a citizen-science project.
I'm not sure if I've said this before (but I'll say it again anyway), but citizen science is where ordinary people (even those without a degree, such as kids) help collect information for scientists.
This can be a cost-effective method of acquiring data; at the same time, it acts as an engaging and educating experience of citizen scientists. It's a win-win situation.
MicroBlitz enlists citizens to collect soil samples from all over Western Australia.
Volunteers (or better known as MicroBlitzers) are given a sample kit and simple instructions they can follow.
After grabbing a sample from wherever they want, they send it back to us for analysis.
And all this is done at no cost to MicroBlitzers. We pay for it all.
Eventually, by using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and fancy bioinformatics, we can identify the microorganisms (microbes) in the soil.
The end result will be a base map of the different microbes available throughout the state, which will improve decision-making processes.
Click here for the MicroBlitz website.
More information on MicroBlitz:
- http://phys.org/news/2015-01-dna-facility-dirty-wa-soil.html
- http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bushtelegraph/microblitz-creating-an-underground-map-in-wa/4933900
- http://crowdresearch.uwa.edu.au/project/digging-deep-for-was-underground-inhabitants/
- http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/grey-nomads-get-the-dirt-on-western-australia-for-soil-study/story-e6frg6nf-1227050690808
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| Figure 1. Citizen science in progress! An image of me taking a soil sample for MicroBlitz. Notice the unique red soils, which is fairly characteristic of drier Australian soils. The top part is a little crusty, but after that, everything becomes sandy and easy to dig. Just think creme brulee! Both soil sample and spatial data (GPS coordinates) are important for constructing the microbial map back at the lab. |
Another project happening at UWA is the Kwongan Foundation.
I'm not too familiar with this, but the general idea is that they're aiming to conserve the unique species of flora and fauna in WA.
Surprisingly, WA is one of the world's few biodiversity hotspot. This means we've got a lot of species that are not found anywhere else in the world.
The Foundation is garnering support to have the biologically-rich locations turned into UNESCO World Heritage List. Doing so will boost tourism and conservation efforts.
Aside from that, they are also geared towards science communication. On their Facebook page, Winthrop Professor Hans Lambers frequently shares images and news about our local biodiversity.
They also host workshops and presentations (which are too expensive for me to attend!).
Click here for the Kwongan Foundation website.
More information on the Kwongan Foundation:
- http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/drive/getting-unesco-recognition-for-kwongan/6083870
- http://rotundamedia.com.au/2015/03/07/south-west-was-kwongkan-region-facing-unesco-world-heritage-listing/
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| Figure 2. It is also characteristic of Australian vegetation to be shrubby and short. Although it doesn't look that impressive, the species richness found in these arid landscapes are able to rival those found in the Amazon rainforest. Due to the tough environmental conditions, the local flora have developed several unique strategies to adapt, which explains why there are more species around: there is no one clear way to survive in these environments. |
Listening to Bloodstream - Ed Sheeran
Vier,
TK
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