Observing the Observers: How Participants Contribute Data to iNaturalist and Implications for Biodiversity Science

BioScience, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 71(11), P. 1179 - 1188

Published: Aug. 5, 2021

Abstract The availability of citizen science data has resulted in growing applications biodiversity science. One widely used platform, iNaturalist, provides millions digitally vouchered observations submitted by a global user base. These observation records include date and location but otherwise do not contain any information about the sampling process. As result, biases must be inferred from themselves. In present article, we examine spatial temporal iNaturalist platform's launch 2008 through end 2019. We also characterize behavior on platform terms individual activity level taxonomic specialization. found that, at class, users typically specialized particular group, especially plants or insects, rarely made same species twice. Biodiversity scientists should consider whether results systematic their analyses before using data.

Language: Английский

---

Different facets of the same niche: Integrating citizen science and scientific survey data to predict biological invasion risk under multiple global change drivers

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(19), P. 5509 - 5523

Published: Aug. 7, 2023

Abstract Citizen science initiatives have been increasingly used by researchers as a source of occurrence data to model the distribution alien species. Since citizen presence‐only suffer from some fundamental issues, efforts made combine these with those provided scientifically structured surveys. Surprisingly, only few studies proposing integration evaluated contribution this process effective sampling species' environmental niches and, consequently, its effect on predictions new time intervals. We relied niche overlap analyses, machine learning classification algorithms and ecological models compare ability scientific surveys, along their integration, in capturing realized 13 invasive species Italy. Moreover, we assessed differences current future invasion risk predicted each set under multiple global change scenarios. showed that surveys captured similar though highlighting exclusive portions associated clearly identifiable conditions. In terrestrial species, granted highest gain space pooled niches, determining an increased biological risk. A aquatic modelled at regional scale reported net loss compared survey suggesting may also lead contraction niches. For lower These findings indicate represent valuable predicting spread especially within national‐scale programmes. At same time, collected poorly known scientists, or strictly local contexts, strongly affect quantification taxa prediction

Language: Английский

---

Differential reporting of biodiversity in two citizen science platforms during COVID-19 lockdown in Colombia

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 256, P. 109077 - 109077

Published: March 19, 2021

Language: Английский

---

Citizen science can complement professional invasive plant surveys and improve estimates of suitable habitat

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(9), P. 1141 - 1156

Published: June 15, 2023

Abstract Aim Citizen science is a cost‐effective potential source of invasive species occurrence data. However, data quality issues due to unstructured sampling approaches may discourage the use these observations by and conservation professionals. This study explored utility low‐structure iNaturalist citizen in plant monitoring. We first examined prevalence taxa biases associated with Using four as examples, we then compared professional agency used two datasets model suitable habitat for each species. Location Hawai'i, USA. Methods To estimate data, number recorded botanical checklists Hawai'i. Sampling bias was quantified along gradients site accessibility, protective status vegetation disturbance using index. Habitat suitability modelled Maxent, from iNaturalist, agencies stratified subsets Results were biased towards species, which frequently areas higher road/trail density disturbance. Professional example tended occur less accessible, native‐dominated sites. models based on versus showed moderate overlap different distributions across classes. Stratifying had little effect how distributed this study. Main Conclusions Opportunistic have complement expand monitoring, found often affected inverse biases. Invasive represented high proportion observations, environments that not captured surveys. Combining thus led more comprehensive estimates habitat.

Language: Английский

---

Observer‐oriented approach improves species distribution models from citizen science data

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(21), P. 12104 - 12114

Published: Sept. 26, 2020

Abstract Citizen science platforms are increasingly growing, and, storing a huge amount of data on species locations, they provide researchers with essential information to develop sound strategies for conservation. However, the lack surveyed sites (i.e., where observers did not record target species) and sampling effort (e.g., number surveys at given site, by how many observers, much time) strongly limit use citizen data. Thus, we examined advantage using an observer‐oriented approach considering occurrences other than collected as pseudo‐absences additional predictors relative total observations, days in which locations were unit, proxies effort) distribution models. Specifically, considered 15 mammal occurring Italy compared predictive accuracy ensemble predictions nine models carried out random versus approach. Through cross‐validations, found that improved models, providing higher pseudo‐absences. Our results showed modeling developed derived outperform those thus improve capacity accurately predict geographic range when deriving robust surrogate effort.

Language: Английский

---

Experimental evidence that behavioral nudges in citizen science projects can improve biodiversity data

BioScience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 73(4), P. 302 - 313

Published: April 1, 2023

Abstract One way to improve the value of citizen science data for a specific aim is through promoting adaptive sampling, where marginal observation dependent on existing collected address question. Adaptive sampling could increase at places or times—using dynamic and updateable framework—where are expected be most informative given ecological question conservation goal. We used an experimental approach test whether participants in popular Australian project—FrogID—would follow protocol aiming maximize understanding frog diversity. After year, our results demonstrated that these were willing adopt protocol, improving biodiversity consistent with aim. Such can research open up new avenues project design.

Language: Английский

---

Reproducible WiSDM: a workflow for reproducible invasive alien species risk maps under climate change scenarios using standardized open data

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Feb. 9, 2024

Introduction Species distribution models (SDMs) are often used to produce risk maps guide conservation management and decision-making with regard invasive alien species (IAS). However, gathering harmonizing the required occurrence other spatial data, as well identifying coding a robust modeling framework for reproducible SDMs, requires expertise in both ecological data science statistics. Methods We developed WiSDM, semi-automated workflow democratize creation of open, reproducible, transparent, maps. To facilitate production IAS using we harmonized openly published climate land cover 1 km 2 resolution coverage Europe. Our mitigates sampling bias, identifies highly correlated predictors, creates ensemble predict risk, quantifies autocorrelation. In addition, present novel application assessing transferability model by quantifying visualizing confidence its predictions. All steps, parameters, evaluation statistics, outputs also automatically generated saved R markdown notebook file. Results minimal input from user generate at standard Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) greenhouse gas emission representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios. The associated predicted each 1km pixel is mapped, enabling intuitive visualization understanding how varies across space RCP Discussion can readily be applied end users basic knowledge R, does not require modeling, only an theory underlying distributions. our repeatable support assessment surveillance.

Language: Английский

---

The New Dominator of the World: Modeling the Global Distribution of the Japanese Beetle under Land Use and Climate Change Scenarios

Land, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 11(4), P. 567 - 567

Published: April 12, 2022

The spread of invasive species is a threat to global biodiversity. Japanese beetle native Japan, but alien populations this insect occur in North America, and recently, also southern Europe. This was recently included on the list priority European concern, as it highly agricultural pest. Thus, study, we aimed at (i) assessing its current distribution range, identifying areas potential invasion, (ii) predicting using future climatic land-use change scenarios for 2050. We collected occurrences available citizen science platform iNaturalist, combined data with predictors Bayesian framework, specifically integrated nested Laplace approximation, stochastic partial differential equation. found that mainly, positively, driven by percentage croplands, annual range temperature, habitat diversity, human settlements, population density; negatively related distance airports, elevation, mean temperature diurnal wetlands, waters. As result, based conditions, likely 47,970,200 km2, while will from between 53,418,200 59,126,825 according 2050 scenarios. concluded high-risk species, able find suitable conditions colonization several regions around globe, especially light ongoing change. strongly recommend strict biosecurity checks quarantines, well regular pest management surveys, order reduce spread.

Language: Английский

---

Improving Online Citizen Science Platforms for Biodiversity Monitoring

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Aug. 31, 2024

ABSTRACT Background Monitoring biodiversity is crucial in biogeography. Citizen science and platforms have revolutionized data access across taxa, but they struggle to provide robust raw essential for conservation decisions. Aims This study addresses gaps under‐represented species locations, observer expertise variability, the lack of absence sampling effort information improve representation suitability statistical analyses. Materials & Methods We collected, compared IUCN‐recognized taxonomic groups, all worldwide living being (animal, plant fungi) observations held by four major platforms: eBird, GBIF, iNaturalist, Observation.org . also organized such country origin based on their Human Development Index (HDI). Results found that, while cover life forms, birds are most observed (eBird a bird‐specific platform), whereas fish, other marine organisms, arthropods, invertebrates dramatically underrepresented. Moreover, none above‐mentioned considered or directly analysed variability among observers and, apart from three do not accommodate effort. Discussion Conclusion Finally, we that this skewed towards high HDI countries, primarily North America Europe. By enhancing effectiveness platforms, has potential significantly advance field biogeography, paving way more informed effective strategies. Overall, our findings underscore untapped these contributing understanding spatial temporal patterns biodiversity.

Language: Английский

---

Identifying Ecological Corridors of the Bush Cricket Saga pedo in Fragmented Landscapes

Insects, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(3), P. 279 - 279

Published: March 6, 2025

The bush cricket Saga pedo, listed as Vulnerable globally by the IUCN and included in Annex IV of EU Habitats Directive, is a parthenogenetic species highly sensitive to environmental changes, facing threats from forest expansion agricultural intensification. S. pedo prefers dry, open habitats with sparse vegetation, its pronounced thermo-heliophily makes it an indicator xerothermic habitats. In many areas Italy, including Northern Apennines (Piedmont), semi-natural grasslands are fragmented. Open have been reduced small, isolated patches surrounded forests due abandonment agropastoral activities. Consequently, occurrence habitat related quality availability suitable ecological connectivity. We developed spatial Bayesian framework identify for pedo. Using inverse probability occurrence, we derived corridors among patches. Our findings indicate that connectivity intensive cultivation but favored 10-50% woody tree cover, suggesting sustainable land management crucial supporting species. Given extinction risk faces, urge local administrations maintain improve guarantee network identified.

Language: Английский

---