Citizen science in environmental and ecological sciences

Nature Reviews Methods Primers, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: Aug. 25, 2022

Citizen science is an increasingly acknowledged approach applied in many scientific domains, and particularly within the environmental ecological sciences, which non-professional participants contribute to data collection advance research. We present contributory citizen as a valuable method scientists practitioners focusing on full life cycle of practice, from design implementation, evaluation management. highlight key issues how address them, such participant engagement retention, quality assurance bias correction, well ethical considerations regarding sharing. also provide range examples illustrate diversity applications, biodiversity research land cover assessment forest health monitoring marine pollution. The aspects reproducibility sharing are considered, placing encompassing open perspective. Finally, we discuss its limitations challenges outlook for application multiple domains. Contributory whole or part This Primer outlines use discussing engagement, correction.

Language: Английский

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Addressing context dependence in ecology

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 37(2), P. 158 - 170

Published: Oct. 30, 2021

Context dependence is widely invoked to explain disparate results in ecology. It arises when the magnitude or sign of a relationship varies due conditions under which it observed. Such variation, especially unexplained, can lead spurious seemingly contradictory conclusions, limit understanding and our ability transfer findings across studies, space, time. Using examples from biological invasions, we identify two types context resulting four sources: mechanistic interaction effects; apparent arise presence confounding factors, problems statistical inference, methodological differences among studies. Addressing critical challenge ecology, essential for increased prediction.

Language: Английский

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Analytical guidelines to increase the value of community science data: An example using eBird data to estimate species distributions

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(7), P. 1265 - 1277

Published: May 7, 2021

Abstract Aim Ecological data collected by the general public are valuable for addressing a wide range of ecological research and conservation planning, there has been rapid increase in scope volume available. However, from eBird or other large‐scale projects with volunteer observers typically present several challenges that can impede robust inferences. These include spatial bias, variation effort species reporting bias. Innovation We use example estimating distributions eBird, community science citizen (CS) project. estimate two widely used metrics distributions: encounter rate occupancy probability. For each metric, we critically assess impact processing steps either degrade refine analyses. CS density varies across globe, so also test whether differences model performance to sample size. Main conclusions Model improved when analytical methods addressed arising data; however, degree improvement varied density. The largest gains observed were achieved 1) complete checklists (where report all they detect identify, allowing non‐detections be inferred) 2) covariates describing detectability checklist. Occupancy models more lack checklists. Improvements refinement evident larger sizes. In general, found value situation encourage researchers benefits scenarios. approaches will enable effectively harness vast knowledge exists within basic research.

Language: Английский

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Outstanding challenges and future directions for biodiversity monitoring using citizen science data

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(1), P. 103 - 116

Published: Feb. 20, 2022

Abstract There is increasing availability and use of unstructured semi‐structured citizen science data in biodiversity research conservation. This expansion a rich source ‘big data’ has sparked numerous directions, driving the development analytical approaches that account for complex observation processes these datasets. We review outstanding challenges analysis monitoring. For many challenges, potential impact on ecological inference unknown. Further can document explore ways to address it. In addition outlining describing may be useful considering design future projects or additions existing projects. outline monitoring using four partially overlapping categories: arise as result (a) observer behaviour; (b) structures; (c) statistical models; (d) communication. Potential solutions are combinations of: collecting additional metadata; analytically combining different datasets; developing refining models. While there been important progress develop methods tackle most remain substantial gains subsequent conservation actions we believe will possible by further areas. The degree challenge opportunity each presents varies substantially across datasets, taxa questions. some cases, route forward clear, while other cases more scope exploration creativity.

Language: Английский

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The African Bird Atlas Project: a description of the project and BirdMap data-collection protocol

Ostrich, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 93(4), P. 223 - 232

Published: Nov. 5, 2022

The African Bird Atlas Project (ABAP) is a citizen-science bird-monitoring programme that relies on robust, repeatable protocol (BirdMap) and allows insights into the distributions of birds their conservation. involves collecting bird lists within spatial sampling units called pentads (5 × 5 minutes latitude by longitude), in relation to survey effort. It based Second Southern (SABAP2), which one Africa's largest citizen science projects, with over 600 thousand checklists, comprising ∼19 million locality records as December 2021. SABAP2, focuses southern Africa, was initiated 2007 ongoing. Both Kenya Map Nigerian Project, 2013 2015, respectively, use this protocol. These projects have galvanised local birdwatching communities allow for important comparisons across sub-Saharan countries. scope ABAP covers entire continent. species are collected scientists pentad, each list encompassing minimum 2 hours active birding maximum days preferred 'full-protocol' format. Lists do not meet full requirements 'ad-hoc'. Species mostly submitted SABAP2 database at University Cape Town, South third-party mobile phone application BirdLasser. Incoming data vetted against existing records, unusual verified Regional Committees. Data open access via public websites. Distributional can be downloaded database, or site-specific various formats pentads. Here, we introduce technical details inform researchers how gathered curated. Data-access protocols explained, examples given from publication record.

Language: Английский

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MAcroecological Framework for Invasive Aliens (MAFIA): disentangling large-scale context dependence in biological invasions

NeoBiota, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 62, P. 407 - 461

Published: Oct. 15, 2020

Macroecology is the study of patterns, and processes that determine those in distribution abundance organisms at large scales, whether they be spatial (from hundreds kilometres to global), temporal decades centuries), organismal (numbers species or higher taxa). In context invasion ecology, macroecological studies include, for example, analyses richness, diversity, distribution, alien regional floras faunas, spatio-temporal dynamics across regions, cross-taxonomic traits among comparable native pools. However, aiming explain predict plant animal naturalisations invasions, resulting impacts, have, date, rarely considered joint effects traits, environment, socioeconomic characteristics. To address this, we present MAcroecological Framework Invasive Aliens (MAFIA). The MAFIA explains phenomenon using three interacting classes factors – location characteristics, related introduction events explicitly maps these interactions onto sequence from transport naturalisation invasion. framework therefore helps both identify how anthropogenic interact with environmental characteristics observed patterns abundance, richness; clarify why neglecting can generate spurious conclusions. Event-related include propagule pressure, colonisation residence time are important mediating outcome processes. because dependence, bias analyses, example seek elucidate role traits. same vein, failure recognise incorporate main impedes our understanding which shaped by importance between their environment. based largely on insights plants birds, but believe it applied all taxa, hope will stimulate comparative research other groups environments. By making biases biological invasions explicit, offers an opportunity guide assessments dependence broad geographical scales.

Language: Английский

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Rapid behavioural response of urban birds to COVID-19 lockdown

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 288(1946), P. 20202513 - 20202513

Published: March 10, 2021

Biodiversity is threatened by the growth of urban areas. However, it still poorly understood how animals can cope with and adapt to these rapid dramatic transformations natural environments. The COVID-19 pandemic provides us a unique opportunity unveil mechanisms involved in this process. Lockdown measures imposed most countries are causing an unprecedented reduction human activities, giving experimental setting assess effects our lifestyle on biodiversity. We studied birds' response population lockdown using more than 126 000 bird records collected citizen science project northeastern Spain. compared occurrence detectability birds during spring 2020 baseline data from previous years same areas dates. found that did not increase their probability lockdown, refuting hypothesis nature has recovered its space human-emptied we detectability, especially early morning, suggesting change birds’ daily routines quieter less crowded cities. Therefore, show high behavioural plasticity rapidly adjust novel environmental conditions, such as those COVID-19.

Language: Английский

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Climate change winners and losers among North American bumblebees

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 18(6)

Published: June 1, 2022

Mounting evidence suggests that climate change, agricultural intensification and disease are impacting bumblebee health contributing to species’ declines. Identifying how these factors impact insect communities at large spatial temporal scales is difficult, partly because species may respond in different ways. Further, the necessary data must span scales, which usually means they comprise aggregated, presence-only records collected using numerous methods (e.g. diversity surveys, educational collections, citizen-science projects, standardized ecological surveys). Here, we use occupancy models, explicitly correct for biases observation process, quantify effect of changes temperature, precipitation floral resources on site over past 12 decades North America. We find no genus-wide declines occupancy, but do strongly related only weakly or resources. also more likely be change ‘losers’ than ‘winners’ this primarily associated with changing temperature. Importantly, all trends were highly species-specific, highlighting genus community-wide measures not reflect diverse species-specific patterns critical guiding allocation conservation

Language: Английский

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Temporal trends in the spatial bias of species occurrence records

Ecography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 2022(8)

Published: May 20, 2022

Large‐scale biodiversity databases have great potential for quantifying long‐term trends of species, but they also bring many methodological challenges. Spatial bias species occurrence records is well recognized. Yet, the dynamic nature this spatial – how has changed over time been largely overlooked. We examined within multiple in Germany and tested whether relation to land cover or use (urban protected areas) time. focused our analyses on urban areas as these represent two well‐known correlates sampling datasets. found that proportion annual from increased while not consistently changed. Using simulations, we implications changing estimation species' distributions. When assessing change, findings suggest effects depend it affects underlying land‐use change drivers affecting species. Oversampling regions undergoing greatest degree instance near human settlements, might lead overestimation specialist For robust distributions, using may need consider only bias, changes through

Language: Английский

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Integrated community models: A framework combining multispecies data sources to estimate the status, trends and dynamics of biodiversity

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 92(12), P. 2248 - 2262

Published: Oct. 25, 2023

Abstract Data deficiencies among rare or cryptic species preclude assessment of community‐level processes using many existing approaches, limiting our understanding the trends and stressors for large numbers species. Yet evaluating dynamics whole communities, not just common charismatic species, is critical to responses biodiversity ongoing environmental pressures. A recent surge in both public science government‐funded data collection efforts has led a wealth data. However, these programmes use wide range sampling protocols (from unstructured, opportunistic observations wildlife well‐structured, design‐based programmes) record information at variety spatiotemporal scales. As result, available vary substantially quantity content, which must be carefully reconciled meaningful ecological analysis. Hierarchical modelling, including single‐species integrated models hierarchical community models, improved ability assess predict processes. Here, we highlight emerging ‘integrated modelling’ framework that combines integration modelling improve inferences on species‐ dynamics. We illustrate with series worked examples. Our three case studies demonstrate how can used extend geographic scope when distributions richness patterns; discern population over time; estimate demographic rates growth communities sympatric implemented examples multiple software methods through R platform via packages formula‐based interfaces development custom code JAGS, NIMBLE Stan. Integrated provide an exciting approach model biological observational types sources simultaneously, thus accounting uncertainty error within unified framework. By leveraging combined benefits produce valuable about as well dynamics, allowing holistic evaluation effects global change biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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