Intertidal Bio Blitz Insights

The transcript describes the discovery of a flatworm, Pseudoceros bascia, in the intertidal pools of Rishikonda, Vishakapatnam, marking the first record of this species in Mainland India. This discovery was part of India's first intertidal BioBlitz, a nationwide initiative aimed at exploring and documenting the biodiversity of India's intertidal zones. The event, conducted by the Mumbai-based Coastal Conservation Foundation and the Vishakapatnam-based East Coast Conservation Team, involved citizen science and community engagement to foster environmental stewardship. The initiative recorded over 3,600 observations and 54 species, contributing to scientific research and policy-making for coastal habitat protection. The BioBlitz is set to become an annual tradition, promoting marine biodiversity conservation.

What was the initial appearance of the object found in the intertidal pools of Rishikonda?

• A smooth, spherical object

• A round object with spikes

• A hard, rock-like structure

• A ribbon-like object resembling feathery arms

What species was discovered in the intertidal pools of Rishikonda?

• A rare type of coral

• Pseudoceros bascia, a flatworm

• A new species of seaweed

• A unique species of fish

What was the main goal of India's first intertidal bio blitz?

• To promote tourism

• To build new coastal structures

• To explore and document intertidal biodiversity

• To clean the beaches

Which organizations collaborated for the intertidal bio blitz?

• Pune-based Biodiversity Institute and Hyderabad-based Nature Club

• Kolkata-based Environmental Group and Bangalore-based Oceanic Society

• Delhi-based Wildlife Institute and Chennai-based Marine Research Center

• Mumbai-based Coastal Conservation Foundation and Vishakapatnam-based East Coast Conservation Team

What is a bio blitz?

• An intensive effort to document species in a specific area and time

• A quick cleanup of polluted beaches

• A rapid construction of coastal defenses

• A fast-paced marine sports event

How many observations and species were recorded during the intertidal bio blitz?

• 2,500 observations and 40 species

• 3,600 observations and 54 species

• 4,000 observations and 60 species

• 1,200 observations and 30 species

What tool was used to record observations during the bio blitz?

• Ocean Explorer

• Google Maps

• I Naturalist app

• Marine Tracker

What are some threats to coastal habitats mentioned in the video?

• Overfishing and tourism

• Pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change

• Invasive species and natural disasters

• Urban development and mining

What is the significance of the inaugural intertidal bio blitz?

• It focused solely on terrestrial biodiversity

• It was a one-time event with no future plans

• It started an annual tradition for marine biodiversity conservation

• It marked the end of marine research in India

What is the future prospect of the intertidal bio blitz?

• To become a monthly event

• To be discontinued after the first year

• To foster appreciation and conservation of marine biodiversity annually

• To focus on freshwater ecosystems