Botanic gardens are true treasure troves of biodiversity. They provide valuable habitats for many animals, fungi, lichens - and of course for wild plants. But which wild species can actually be found there? As part of Botanic Gardens Week 2025 (from 14 to 22 June), over 30 botanic gardens in German-speaking countries are inviting visitors to a joint ‘BioBlitz’ to get to the bottom of this question and make biodiversity visible. All visitors are invited to take part and document their own observations using the free iNaturalist app. The more findings are collected, the more comprehensive the picture of biodiversity becomes. There is also something to win: There is also something to win: The most species-rich garden, the most beautiful photos, the most spectacular observations and the most productive participants will be honoured by the Association of Botanic Gardens (Verband Botanischer Gärten).
A BioBlitz is a time-limited citizen-science campaign for recording species in a defined area - known, among other things, from the ‘City Nature Challenge’ or the ‘NABU Insect Summer’. Observations can be easily reported via platforms such as iNaturalist: simply upload a photo or sound recording, enter the location and time of discovery - and you're done. The app provides support with identification suggestions that are checked by the community. This creates transparent and easily analysable data sets on species diversity. The data collected with a BioBlitz is used for scientific purposes and for nature conservation.
Important:
If you would like to get an impression of what there is to discover at the Botanic Garden, then take a look at our regular iNaturalist project! Here, the biodiversity of the Botanic Garden is continuously documented independently of the BioBlitz.
There are various apps and platforms for recording and identifying animals and plants. The best-known apps are iNaturalist and ObsIdentify. Both work in a similar way. For a BioBlitz, however, it is important that all participants use the same app.
The organisation team at the Association of Botanic Gardens (Verband Botanischer Gärten) opted for iNaturalist because we also use this app personally and have had very good experiences with it so far.
Basically, yes. Every observation made using apps such as iNaturalist, ObsIdentify or Flora Incognita flows into large biodiversity data portals and can be scientifically analysed.
But: For the Botanic Gardens' BioBlitz from 14 to 22 June 2025, only observations made with the iNaturalist app will be counted. This is the only way we can identify the most active observers and the most species-rich gardens and ultimately select the winners.
Yes, you can create an account on the iNaturalist website and upload your observations there. The only important thing is that the observations were made during the BioBlitz (14-22 June 2025) and on the grounds of the Botanic Gardens.
After the event, a jury of representatives from the Association of Botanic Gardens will select the most beautiful photos, the most productive observers and the most spectacular observations. There will be book prizes for the winners. The garden with the most species will also be honoured.
No, the animals may not be caught or disturbed. Only photography with a mobile phone or camera is permitted. Please also observe our house rules: stay on the paths, do not enter the beds, do not damage the plants.
Please note: During the week from 14 to 22 June, researchers and experts will be carrying out special activities in which insects and other animals will also be caught temporarily. This will be organised in advance and any necessary nature conservation permits will be obtained. Catching on your own is not permitted.
In our project at iNaturlist you can see which wild animals and plants have been observed in the Botanic Gardens so far - over 350 species altogether!
The organisation team of the Association of Botanic Gardens has compiled a series of detailed explanations on the use of iNaturalist and the BioBlitz. Perhaps you will find the information you are looking for in this document.
Otherwise please send us an email
Copyright © Botanischer Garten 2025
Last update: May 16, 2025
