Dot-underwing moth (Eudocima materna discovered in the scientists’ lawn. (Image credit: Matthew Holden, (CC-BY)
During the COVID pandemic, we, a team of biodiversity scientists consisting of an ecologist, a mathematician, and a taxonomist, were stuck together. In our quest for something to do, we decided to count the number of plant and animal species surrounding our house.
Our initial expectations and those of our colleagues were around 200 to 300 species. However, we were in for a surprise when we found 1,150 species on our urban property over the year.
What was ordinary in our 400 square meter [4,300 square feet] block of land in Annerley, Brisbane turned out to be extraordinary in terms of the variety of species that we found there. Our work has been published and it is indeed remarkable.
We found a surprising mix of familiar animals and some very rare ones that had never been recorded in Australia before. These discoveries included an unusual mosquito, a sandfly, and an intrusive flatworm.
The lawn was aflutter with the presence of pollinators like native blue-banded bees, hoverflies, and many other bee and wasp species. There was a diverse range of butterflies and moths as well, totaling 436 species. The variety of life we found thriving in our small patch of urban habitat was truly fascinating.
