The results are in! The first ever Yellowstone BioBlitz took place in August and uncovered more than 1200 species in a two-square mile area of northern Yellowstone, including several species not previously known to exist in the park. The 24-hour inventory was based in the Mammoth Hot Springs area. It involved approximately 125 volunteers and top scientists-specialists in their respective fields-who combed the area, observing and recording as many plant and animal species as possible. While Yellowstone's wolves, bison, bears, and elk typically receive the most attention-both from scientists and tourists-the focus of the BioBlitz was on decidedly smaller and lesser-known creatures. Yet to scientists and park officials the findings were no less exciting. Findings included microscopic worms, mushrooms, a bluish-green lichen, a slender grass, and a colorful tiger beetle. In all, 373 plant species, 86 mushroom types, 46 kinds of bees, 5 kinds of bats, 24 butterflies, and more than 300 kinds of insects were found during the 24-hour period. And those numbers continue to grow as scientists work to identify additional organisms. A nematode team from the University of California, Riverside, identified over 45 species, but team scientists expect to find even more-including, perhaps, organisms new to science-over the coming months as they study samples taken during the blitz. This rich biodiversity provides the ecological building blocks upon which the larger, more charismatic mammals depend for survival. The BioBlitz results will help park management better understand ecosystem dynamics and potential threats to ecosystem stability. You can read more about the BioBlitz at the Greater Yellowstone Science Learning Center. Also, the Winter 2009 issue of Yellowstone Discovery, the Yellowstone Association's quarterly publication received by all YA members, features an article about six other lesser-known but fascinating inhabitants of Yellowstone.