Smallest of Things

Challenge

When you are out & about, we want you to look more closely. Explore, discover, collect data, classify and SHARE your discoveries with all of us.

Discover

We currently know there are about 1.2 million species to be recorded by science. What's left to be discovered however is very interesting. The number of species that scientists think are left to be discovered is around 8.7 million (give or take about a million). Very small species make up the foundation of our food web that allows all life above it to thrive. It is important that we discover and understand what the needs are for the micro - just small species to ensure the foundation is thriving.

Explore

The Problem

If we wait to address global environmental issues based on easily observable species, we are missing the foundation. Arthropods make up nearly 84% of all known species on our planet. Insects, Arachnids, Myripods, Crustaceans. We hope to identify as many as possible and collect data about them to protect their life cycles.

The Solution

We found for example with the MONARCH Butterfly, that citizen scientists tagging and observing their migration and food etc allowed all of to understand what they needed to thrive. More of us began to plant milkweed, and we passed laws to protect them during their migration. There are millions of species that are undiscovered, or little is known about. YOU can help change that. Look closely and find information from others observing a small species. The more we all gather together, the better we can protect them.

Investigate

Look for local species in the area you plan to explore. INatural is great resource. Local visiting centers are also a wonderful place to begin. Take pictures of your discoveries. Log data, (what time, temp, foliage close, biome etc)

Time & Place

Are you planning a camping trip, road trip, or want to explore a local park or beach tide pool? Think about what kind of species you are interested in and when they be most active. It’s often easier to find their primary food source and look for bites in leaves to find them.

Action Steps

• Research what species are already documented in the area you are going to explore.

• Decide if you are exploring for nocturnal or diurnal, herbivore, carnivore or omnivore

• Have items needed to best find them, PITFALL TRAPS or SHEETS at night for flying or rotting logs https://youtu.be/4k7I4cdKnMI https://youtu.be/s_VCadtbpFE

• Observe, take pictures and or draw about your discoveries and classify them accordingly.

• Log into I naturalist or many other apps to find others in that area to see what they have found

• Did you make a new discovery?

• Share your discovery

Share

Share your now CLASSIFIED small discoveries. Pictures or drawings and videos. Make sure to include all of the data you gathered about your discovery.

Where

What Time of Day

Have others discovered this previously?

What new thing did you learn from this discovery?

What would you like others to know about this discovery?

What does this discovery need to survive?

Please share your learning with SDUSD here we will post your pictures and videos here for all to see.