Web 2.0 Biodiversity Projects

Becca Madsen on July 1, 2010 Comment

Three new projects are keeping biodiversity fresh in this International Year of Biodiversity. The first, 'Biking for Biodiversity' recounts a bike adventure three guys took to figure out why biodiversity was important in the Danube watershed in Europe. Their trip is covered by personal blog posts and photos of their journey down Europe's longest river, crossing through 10 countries from source (Germany) to sea (Black Sea). The guys' take-away messages:
1. NGOs are on the frontline of conservation
2. National parks are important but not enough
3. Ecosystems are easier to talk about than biodiversity
4. Focusing on utilitarian benefits of ecosystems may be useful, but struggles to stir passions"

The second project is a very Facebook-y campaign to get Californians engaged in endangered species protection. The campaign, called Tatzoo(.org) uses the enticement of a tattoo inked by world-famous tattoo artists to generate fresh ideas for engaging in endangered species protection. ...now appearing on some cool dude's bicep: the California Red-Legged Frog. Nice.

Next is a Guardian contest to re-name British species to more charismatic names. Who could forget the Hellbender, a rare, extraordinarily-sized salamander found in the US? Unfortunately, not all species are blessed with such memorable names: a medicinal lichen Usnea florida (yawn), a leaf beetle Cryptocephalus punctiger (double-yawn). So the Guardian has put on a contest to allow readers to provide suggestions for more fabulous species names. I can't find an end date, so hurry up and put in your idea!

And finally, if Twitter is your thing, the Guardian lists the 'Top 50 wildlife and conservation Twitter accounts.' Harrumph! We haven't made the list yet - follow us @EcoMarketplace and @KatoombaGroup.

Guardian 6/23/2010,
Biking for Biodiversity blog 6/2010,
Tatzoo.com website 6/2010,
Guardian 6/25/2010,
Guardian 6/4/2010