Watson Lake 2019 Yukon Bioblitz

The Watson Lake Bioblitz is held in and around the Town of Watson Lake, Yukon (see map). Watson Lake is centrally located in the Liard River ecosystem. This forested landscape is one of the most biologically diverse regions in Yukon. While the Bioblitz area does not contain alpine areas, the riparian forests along larger rivers and creeks are very productive, and support diverse and abundant songbird, plant, and invertebrate communities, including several species that are at the northwest edge of their range and others that reach peak densities here. There is a large diversity of aquatic features including fens, springs, creeks, lakes, ponds, marshes, bogs, and rivers.

The Bioblitz is being organized by Environment Yukon’s Conservation Data Centre and Regional Program. During a Bioblitz, experts team up with the public to find as many wild species of plants, animals, and fungi within a defined area and over a defined period of time.

We are hoping the Bioblitz will help increase our knowledge of species surrounding Watson Lake. In the last few years the discoveries of new species shows that we still do not fully understand biodiversity in Yukon. Furthermore, it gives residents a chance to connect with the organizers and share local, traditional, and scientific knowledge.

Contact Bruce Bennett at the Yukon Conservation Data Centre for more details (bruce.bennett@gov.yk.ca).
Checklists for the area are available from Bruce Bennett upon request. less ↑