Insecta

Insects are key components of California’s ecosystems. They support plant reproduction, drive food webs, recycle nutrients, and signal environmental changes. Their health directly reflects and impacts the state’s broader ecological integrity.

According to a UC Davis report to the United States Department of Agriculture Belowground Biodiversity Advisory Committee: 

Insect species vastly outnumber all other groups of animals and are among the most diverse and important groups in terrestrial communities. 

California is considered one of the world's biodiversity hotspots (IUCN 1992), yet there is no census of California insects. An estimated 26,000-100,000 species of insects are thought to be in California, with 6% of these new to science. Add to this, the estimate that roughly 200 exotic insects reach the state each year. (may be 40-60K species described, 200K total 75% undescribed by science)

When a previously unrecognized species is encountered we are often unable to determine whether it is native or whether it is a potential pest because of this lack of information.

CalATBI collaborators aim to assemble information on insects in California and make it available via electronic media, publications and searchable, Internet accessible databases.

Funga

Fungi are critical, often invisible architects of California’s biodiversity. They sustain plants, drive nutrient cycles, support wildlife, and respond sensitively to environmental change. Protecting fungal diversity is essential to conserving California’s ecosystems as a whole, yet there is a significant lack of data for fungi.

According to a report by USDA Forest Service

Despite these vital roles, fungal diversity in California remains woefully underdocumented—estimates suggest that over 90% of fungal species globally, and likely a similar proportion regionally, are yet to be described.

Without baseline data on fungal communities, we cannot fully understand or monitor ecosystem health, soil dynamics, plant resilience, and climate responsiveness. Protecting fungal diversity is therefore critical not only for plant and wildlife conservation but also for sustaining soil fertility and ecosystem stability across California’s landscapes.

soil

Soil is a living, dynamic system that underpins California's biodiversity, influencing nearly every aspect of its ecosystems. It sustains native plants, supports wildlife through food and habitat, and fuels ecosystem processes. Protecting and restoring soil health is essential for conserving California’s rich and unique biological heritage.

According to a report done by California Department of Food & Agriculture Department of Agriculture Belowground Biodiversity Advisory Committee:

Soil is the living foundation of California’s ecosystems, hosting a vast belowground network of microbes, fungi, and fauna that drive nutrient cycling, water filtration, carbon storage, and plant productivity. A 2023 California Department of Food and Agriculture report emphasizes that “soils contain up to 60% of the planet’s biodiversity” and highlights their role in sustaining crucial ecosystem services. 

Yet much of this biodiversity remains unmapped and poorly understood in the state. Protecting and studying California’s soil life is therefore essential for securing resilient agriculture, ecosystem health, and climate mitigation.

INTERTIDAL

Intertidal ecosystems support a wide variety of species, unique ecological interactions, and vital life cycle processes. Intertidal species are essential contributors to California’s coastal biodiversity, supporting rich food webs, connecting ocean and land, and serving as indicators of ecosystem health.

According to the National Park Service

As the National Park Service explains, these zones are “delicate places… very susceptible to changes in climate and environmental quality,” underscoring their value for monitoring coastal health. Conserving and studying intertidal ecosystems is key to understanding climate-driven shifts and safeguarding coastal biodiversity.

eDNA

Environmental DNA is a powerful scientific tool used to detect and monitor species without directly sampling the organism itself.

As organisms move through the environment they leave DNA traces behind. Our world is saturated with these invisible fragments of environmental DNA (eDNA). With new technology, scientists can sequence this DNA from a sample of soil or water that even a child can collect. This eDNA identifies tens of thousands of DNA sequences from thousands of unseen microbes, diseases, plants, and animals, providing a wealth of hidden information.

Through a partnership of universities and nonprofits, our goal is to work with local communities, land managers, and students to collect thousands of samples from across the state, representing the diversity of California’s communities and environmental challenges.

In partnership with California eDNA (CALeDNA), this program sequences eDNA within samples, using DNA barcode libraries now under development, to deliver an unprecedented baseline assessment of California biodiversity and ecosystems. CALeDNA has already amassed more than 16,000 environmental samples openly available for science.

Collection Rescue

Some of CalATBI’s partners are doing the essential work of preserving and organizing specimens we already have, curating collections and upgrading the infrastructure to maintain them. Others are building the capability and capacity of our scientific community, educating the formal and lay scientists of the future, and bringing people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to this important work.

Hokan Bio provides rapid help to secure at-risk scientific collections across the United States. 

They support collections spanning vertebrates and invertebrates, plants and fungi, soils and cores, tissues and fluids, environmental DNA, slides and photos, film and media, field notebooks, datasets, and digital archives. 

Hokan Bio offers quick funding and hands-on coordination so nothing irreplaceable is lost during closures, moves, or staffing cuts.

Have a collection at risk?

If you or someone you know is responsible for materials that could be orphaned or discarded, please reach out. We can move quickly and work within your organization’s guidelines.

Fill out the request form or contact us with any questions.