Bush Blitz: journeys of discovery in the Australian outback
Michael Preece A , Jo Harding A and Judy G. West B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
B Parks Island and Biodiversity Science, Parks Australia, Department of the Environment, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: judy.west@environment.gov.au
Australian Systematic Botany 27(6) 325-332 https://doi.org/10.1071/SB15009
Submitted: 13 March 2015 Accepted: 6 May 2015 Published: 29 June 2015
Abstract
Bush Blitz is an innovative and ambitious partnership between the Australian Biological Resources Study, BHP Billiton Sustainable Communities and the Earthwatch Institute (Australia) that aims to fill critical gaps in the knowledge of the biodiversity of Australia (http://www.bushblitz.org.au). Since its inception in 2009, over 900 putative new species of animals and plants have been discovered in Australian conservation reserves. As a unique approach to surveys in often-remote areas of the Australian outback, the Bush Blitz program has been highly successful and highlights the need for ongoing exploration and research to adequately document the biodiversity of Australia. This special issue of Australian Systematic Botany describes some of the newly discovered species and showcases the botanical results of the Bush Blitz program.
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