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Using iNaturalist to Identify Species

For a little over a year now, I've been using the iNaturalist app to record species observations and aid me in expanding my ability to correctly identify species within ECLP. In particular, my knowledge of flowering herbaceous plants has been steadily growing as I've uploaded and researched what I've found. The app is very user friendly, with an easy to understand design and method for recording observations.  Pictures can be taken directly with the app, or uploaded indirectly. Before being included in databases (labeled research grade), your identification MUST be verified by another user.  This not only helps to reduce the amount of incorrectly labeled observations, but also works to connect users through their shared identification. I have begun to notice quite a few reoccurring usernames myself as we have both made suggestions and verified each other's observations! The app acts as a great tool to help communities connect with the ecosystem around them. Verified obs
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Why Ellanor C. Lawrence Park?

  Located within the densely populated county of Fairfax, VA, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (ECLP) is a critical stepping stone within the heavily modified landscape. Despite working at the site for 6 years, efforts to record current biodiversity levels within the park have been limited. While I have contributed to the knowledge of Anuran species located within the site, documentation for the species richness of the habitat are fairly dated and might not represent current distributions. For example, current listings for amphibians do not list the American bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeianus ) as present within the site and only lists the status of the Cope's gray treefrog ( Hyla chrysoscelis ) as possible within the site. However, both species have been present in surveys for the past couple years. A more thorough investigation into the biodiversity present within the site may be warranted. Development of shopping centers, residential developments, and expansions of route 28 and I-66
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What is Biodiversity and why is it Important?

Biodiversity represents the amount of biological variety within all ecosystems. This includes the number of unique species, the amount of genetic variation within a species, and species diversity between ecosystems (adapted from Primack, 2014). Although many people try to separate themselves from the environment, we are inherently linked and reliant upon the services provided within our ecosystem. As consumers (both in the biological and social meaning), we are unable to create our own food and must rely on ecosystem services to support us. Biodiversity helps to support the ecosystem functions we use, as different species fill varying roles within our environment. As diversity drops within an ecosystem, we lose critical resiliency that protects our systems from disturbances. Relying on only a few species to fill needed roles is like trying to put all your eggs into one basket, which leaves us one disaster away from losing resources.   Primack, R. B. (2014). Essentials of conservation
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