Emerging technologies in citizen science and potential for insect monitoring

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 379(1904)

Опубликована: Май 5, 2024

Emerging technologies are increasingly employed in environmental citizen science projects. This integration offers benefits and opportunities for scientists participants alike. Citizen can support large-scale, long-term monitoring of species occurrences, behaviour interactions. At the same time, foster participant engagement, regardless pre-existing taxonomic expertise or experience, permit new types data to be collected. Yet, may also create challenges by potentially increasing financial costs, necessitating technological demanding training participants. Technology could reduce people's direct involvement engagement with nature. In this perspective, we discuss how current have spurred an increase projects implementation emerging enhance scientific impact public engagement. We show technology act as (i) a facilitator efforts, (ii) enabler research opportunities, (iii) transformer science, policy participation, but become (iv) inhibitor equity rigour. is developing fast promises provide many exciting insect monitoring, while seize these must remain vigilant against potential risks. article part theme issue ‘Towards toolkit global biodiversity monitoring’.

Язык: Английский

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Quantifying error in occurrence data: Comparing the data quality of iNaturalist and digitized herbarium specimen data in flowering plant families of the southeastern United States

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 18(12), С. e0295298 - e0295298

Опубликована: Дек. 7, 2023

iNaturalist has the potential to be an extremely rich source of organismal occurrence data. Launched in 2008, it now contains over 150 million uploaded observations as May 2023. Based on findings a limited number past studies assessing taxonomic accuracy participatory science-driven sources data such iNaturalist, there been concern that some portion these records might misidentified certain groups. In this case study, we compare Research Grade with digitized herbarium specimens, both which are currently available for combined download from large aggregators and therefore primary large-scale biodiversity/biogeography studies. Our comparisons were confined regionally southeastern United States (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia). Occurrence ten plant families (Gentianaceae, Ericaceae, Melanthiaceae, Ulmaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Fagaceae, Cyperaceae, Juglandaceae, Apocynaceae) downloaded scored accuracy. We found comparable relatively low rate misidentification among specimens within study area. This finding illustrates utility high quality future research region, but also points key differences between types, giving each respective advantage, depending applications

Язык: Английский

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Photographs as an essential biodiversity resource: drivers of gaps in the vascular plant photographic record

New Phytologist, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 238(4), С. 1685 - 1694

Опубликована: Март 13, 2023

Summary The photographic record is increasingly becoming an important biodiversity resource for primary research and conservation monitoring. However, globally, there are gaps in this even relatively well‐researched floras. To quantify the Australian native vascular plant record, we systematically surveyed 33 sources of well‐curated species photographs, assembling a list with accessible verifiable as well which search failed. Of 21 077 species, 3715 lack photograph across our resources. There three major geographic hotspots unphotographed Australia, all far from current population centres. Many small stature or uncharismatic, many also recently described. large number described without photographs was surprising. longstanding efforts Australia to organise but absence global consensus treat essential resource, has not become common practice. small‐range endemics some have special status. Completing botanical globe will facilitate virtuous feedback loop more efficient identification, monitoring conservation.

Язык: Английский

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The genus Quercus (Fagaceae) in South Africa: Introduction history, current status, and invasion ecology

South African Journal of Botany, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 167, С. 150 - 165

Опубликована: Фев. 17, 2024

Hundreds of species alien trees have been introduced and widely cultivated in South Africa, many become invasive. Despite their long residence time widespread cultivation, little is known about the introduction history, current status, invasion ecology oaks (genus Quercus) Africa. This study reviews various aspects genus Quercus We determine number oak present, assess map distribution, highlight areas putative naturalisation, evaluate usefulness community science platform iNaturalist for assessing these factors. also conducted a field to elucidate environmental factors that can mediate invasibility riparian zone. A literature search was review events associated with introduction, cultivation naturalisation pests diseases Records Africa were collated from herbaria, arboreta, Southern African Plant Invader Atlas, Plants database iNaturalist. along Eerste River Stellenbosch role mediating naturalisation. found records 47 taxa which refined list 22 34 likely present. The earliest record robur 1656 but first most date between late 1800s early 1900s. More than 99 % presence ten commonly species. palustris, Q. robur, suber categorised as invasive, documented acutissima, canariensis, cerris, ilex, nigra. Most occurred at urban-wildland interface vegetation Cape Town Stellenbosch. Steepness riverbank affect seedling recruitment areas. shed new light on presence, status However, taxonomic complexity data quality complicated attempts develop robust inventory Molecular studies are needed achieve better resolution. Nonetheless, this has greatly improved our understanding distribution implications management.

Язык: Английский

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Logistical and preference bias in participatory science butterfly data

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 22(8)

Опубликована: Июль 23, 2024

The volume of and interest in unstructured participatory science data has increased dramatically recent years. However, contain taxonomic biases—encounters with some species are more likely to be reported than encounters others. Taxonomic biases driven by human preferences for different logistical factors that make observing certain challenging. We investigated bias reports butterflies characterizing differences between a dedicated semi‐structured dataset, eButterfly, popular iNaturalist, spatiotemporally explicit models. Across 194 butterfly species, we found 53 were overreported 34 underreported opportunistic data. Ease identification feature diversity significantly associated overreporting sampling, strong patterns family also detected. Quantifying not only helps us understand how humans engage nature but is necessary generate robust inference from

Язык: Английский

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Expert identification blitz: A rapid high value approach for assessing and improving iNaturalist identification accuracy and data precision and confidence

Plants People Planet, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 16, 2025

Societal Impact Statement Citizen science data are increasingly used in research and conservation, so assessing improving accuracy is important. We recruited 50 experts to review a dataset of Western Australian plant records from iNaturalist. Across three weeks, almost 11,000 received at least one identification. Of the 7,000 initially identified species level, 92% were correctly identified. Building these banks expert‐curated images crucial for biodiverse regions with many endemic threatened species, without comprehensive Flora, as reliably‐identified occurrence that supplement herbarium vouchers help define distributions better inform conservation assessments. Summary now make up significant portion global biodiversity records. The utility strongly depends on identification accuracy, which varies across taxa, underscoring importance expert engagement. large iNaturalist vascular Southwest Australia case study, organising three‐week event assess enhance precision confidence. Before event, Research Grade comprised 48% our species‐level had an rate 97%, while 52% marked needs ID, 89% confirmed have been accurately led net increase 250% dataset, 183 new recorded focal regions. This collaboration between citizen scientists provides way quantify error rates downstream statistical analysis improves uncertain or incorrect identifications. It contributes growing collection confidently photographs flora, serve valuable resources learning about their local flora collecting further data. process vital component virtuous cycle, continually world's hotspots. Our approach globally applicable any requiring only selection region manageable recruitment relevant regional experts.

Язык: Английский

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High nature value farmlands to identify crucial agroecosystems for multi-taxa conservation

Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 305, С. 111094 - 111094

Опубликована: Март 19, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Incorporating citizen science into IUCN Red List assessments

Conservation Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Авг. 27, 2024

Abstract Many citizen scientists are highly motivated to help address the current extinction crisis. Their work is making valuable contributions protecting species by raising awareness, identifying occurrences, assessing population trends, and informing direct management actions, such as captive breeding. However, clear guidance lacking about how use existing science data sets design effective programs that directly inform risk assessments resulting conservation actions based on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria. This may be because a mismatch between what can deliver reality needed threatened listing IUCN To overcome this problem, we examined each criterion (A–E) relative five major types outputs relevant (occurrence data, presence–absence observations, structured surveys, physical samples, narratives) recommend which most suited when applying assessment process. We explored real‐world examples projects amphibians fungi have delivered knowledge assessments. found although occurrence routinely used in process, simply adding more observations from information not inclusion nuanced types, or threats surveys. then characteristics already support These were led recognized experts who champion validate thereby giving greater confidence its accuracy. urge increased recognition value within

Язык: Английский

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Assessing adequacy of citizen science datasets for biodiversity monitoring

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 14(2)

Опубликована: Янв. 31, 2024

Tracking the state of biodiversity over time is critical to successful conservation, but conventional monitoring schemes tend be insufficient adequately quantify how species' abundances and distributions are changing. One solution this issue leverage data generated by citizen scientists, who collect vast quantities at temporal spatial scales that cannot matched most traditional methods. However, quality science can vary greatly. In paper, we develop three metrics (inventory completeness, range bias) assess adequacy observation data. We explore species level for Australia's terrestrial native birds then model these against a suite seven traits (threat status, taxonomic uniqueness, body mass, average count, size, density, human population density) identify predictors adequacy. find Australian increasing across two our completeness completeness), not bias, which has worsened time. Relationships between modelled were variable, with only having consistently significant relationships metrics. Our results suggest although generally increased time, there still gaps in many birds. Despite gaps, play an important role providing valuable baseline may supplemented information collected through other believe presented here constitute easily applied approach assessing utility datasets analyses, allowing researchers prioritise regions or lower will benefit from targeted efforts.

Язык: Английский

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Bee monitoring by community scientists: comparing a collections-based program with iNaturalist

Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 117(4), С. 220 - 233

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2024

Abstract Bee monitoring, or widespread efforts to document bee community biodiversity, can involve data collection using lethal (specimen collections) non-lethal methods (observations, photographs). Additionally, be collected by professional scientists volunteer participants from the general public. Collection-based presumably produce more reliable with fewer biases against certain taxa, while photography-based approaches, such as public natural history platforms like iNaturalist, people and cover a broader geographic area. Few have been made quantify pros cons of these different approaches. We established science monitoring program assess biodiversity across state Pennsylvania (USA) specimen collections nets, blue vane traps, bowl traps. recruited 26 participants, mostly Master Gardeners, sample bees after receiving extensive training on topics methods. The specimens they were identified species, stored in museum collections, added databases. Then, we compared results our research-grade observations iNaturalist during same time period (2021 2022). At county levels, found documented over twice much novel baseline (state records) than iNaturalist. showed strong toward large-bodied non-native species. This study demonstrates value highly trained for collections-based research that aims patterns space time.

Язык: Английский

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