Todd Witcher, Executive Director of Discover Life In America, spoke about the Smokies Biodiversity project at the 2009 East Tennessee Preservation Conference.

1. D iscover L ife in A merica’s A ll T axa B iodiversity I nventory in Great Smoky Mountains National Park ( ATBI )

3. Why conduct an ATBI? “ Over 99% [of species] are known only by a scientific name, a handful of specimens, ...and a few anatomical descriptions.” - E.O. Wilson, 1992 While ~ 1.8 million species have been named, estimates of the total number of species on Earth range from several million to over 100 million. We know the least about the groups of organisms with the most species - invertebrates, algae, fungi, and microbes.

5. The pioneering Great Smoky Mountains ATBI has been a resounding success. Since scientific investigation began in 2000, 890 species new to science have been discovered . . .

6. and 6,339 species new to the park.

10. Water Mite (Hydrachnidiae)Workshop Andrea Radwell, University of Arkansas August 2008

12. Biodiversity Days in the Smokies 2009 CELEBRATING BIODIVERSITY in GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Wednesday, June 17, 1 – 4 p.m. Hooray for Herps: Reptiles and Amphibians in the Smokies at Twin Creeks Thursday June 18, 1 – 4 p.m. Symbiosis: Birds, Bees and Pollen at Twin Creeks Friday June 19, All Day Xeric Cliff Bioblitz: Unique Dry Cliff Habitat — Call for more information Saturday June 20, All Day (meet at 9:30) Fern Foray at New Found Gap June 17 – 20, 2009 Twin Creeks Science Center and other sites 1316 Cherokee Orchard Road Gatlinburg, TN 37738 865-430-4757

16. The Future of the ATBI Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been fortunate to be first in experiencing the ATBI’s power to inspire. It will not be the last. Parks and public lands across the nation have begun to initiate their own ATBIs. They all need our continued involvement and support.

17. “ We should preserve every scrap of biodiversity as priceless while we learn to use it and come to understand what it means to humanity.” - E. O. Wilson For more information, visit us online at www.dlia.org