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A Systematic Literature Review on the Participation Aspects of Environmental and Nature-Based Citizen Science Initiatives. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13137457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
It is commonly argued that, despite the tremendous resonance Citizen Science (CS) has shown in recent years, there is still lack of understanding of important aspects defining citizens’ participation and engagement in CS initiatives. While CS initiatives could provide a vehicle to foster forms of participation contributing to the democratization of science, there is still limited attention paid to the “Citizen” component of the Citizen Science term. For the purpose of this work, we systematically reviewed the available literature for empirical studies in respect to citizens’ participation in environmental and nature-based CS initiatives established during the last two decades, using the PRISMA methodology. The participatory facet of the retrieved 119 CS initiatives was analysed on the basis of: (a) exclusion and inclusion demographic factors, (b) CS models and practices, (c) facilitators and constraints of citizen’s participation, and (d) environmental citizenship. Our findings show that the majority of the CS initiatives did not place restrictions on gender participation; however, we have identified that mostly highly educated adults participated in the reviewed initiatives. In addition, most of the CS initiatives reported in the literature were situated in the EU and USA, were mostly limited to the local scale, and primarily followed the contributory model. Academic institutions were found to coordinate the majority of the CS initiatives examined. By using digital technologies, academic scientists were able to control and increase data quality, as well as to engage a broader audience, even though they were mostly treating volunteers as “data collectors”, desiring their long-term engagement. Therefore, it will be of CS benefit to be better aligned with the mentality and needs of citizens. In this direction CS initiatives should trigger citizens’ learning gains and interpersonal/social benefits and personal, environmental, and social motivations, but also to shift their goals towards contributing to science and citizens’ connection with nature. On the other hand, there is a need to overcome any design and implementation barriers, and to enhance democratization through a more participative engagement of active and aware citizens, thus promoting environmental citizenship.
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Muhamad Khair NK, Lee KE, Mokhtar M. Community-based monitoring for environmental sustainability: A review of characteristics and the synthesis of criteria. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 289:112491. [PMID: 33813302 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Community-based monitoring is increasingly recognised as one solution to sustainable environmental management. However, the development of community-based monitoring has led to confusion or misconceptions regarding other similar initiatives. Through a review of the characteristics and synthesising criteria of effective community-based monitoring, this article addresses how to distinguish community-based monitoring from other forms of community engagement research. A review of relevant community-based monitoring literature identifies the characteristics of and knowledge gaps in procedures and governance structures. Additionally, evidence of common benefits, challenges and lessons learned for successful community-based monitoring are deliberated. As an outcome of the review, the article synthesises a set of community-based monitoring criteria as follows: (1) efficacy of initiatives, (2) technicality aspects, (3) feedback mechanisms and (4) sustainability. These synthesised criteria will be instrumental in designing customised community-based monitoring initiatives for environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Khairlida Muhamad Khair
- Research Centre for Sustainability Science & Governance (SGK), Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Khai Ern Lee
- Research Centre for Sustainability Science & Governance (SGK), Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Centre for Research and Instrumentation Management (CRIM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, No.5, Jalan Universiti, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mazlin Mokhtar
- Research Centre for Sustainability Science & Governance (SGK), Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, No.5, Jalan Universiti, Selangor, Malaysia
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Walker DW, Smigaj M, Tani M. The benefits and negative impacts of citizen science applications to water as experienced by participants and communities. WIRES WATER 2021. [PMID: 0 DOI: 10.1002/wat2.1488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David W. Walker
- JSPS International Research Fellow, Faculty of Design Kyushu University Fukuoka Japan
| | - Magdalena Smigaj
- JSPS International Research Fellow, Faculty of Agriculture Kyushu University Fukuoka Japan
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Sustainable City and Community Empowerment through the Implementation of Community-Based Monitoring: A Conceptual Approach. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12229583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A sustainable city should promote the active participation of its civil society in urban planning and development of cities as the means to satisfy their needs. However, the absence of an appropriate platform has caused the public to lose interest and neglect the process of planning and development. This article attempts to develop a conceptual framework for sustainable cities and communities’ empowerment through the introduction of community-based monitoring as a means to increase community resilience and well-being. Community-based monitoring is designed to be instrumental in addressing environmental sustainability issues with public participation, where the community champions the environmental monitoring process for the decision making of planning and development of cities. The conceptual framework is expected to serve as an approach in driving the urban community towards attaining a more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable environment.
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San Llorente Capdevila A, Kokimova A, Sinha Ray S, Avellán T, Kim J, Kirschke S. Success factors for citizen science projects in water quality monitoring. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 728:137843. [PMID: 32570323 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Attempts to monitor the quality of freshwater resources on a global scale unveil huge data lacks. Involving citizens in data collection has potential to resolve this lack of water quality data. However, it is widely unclear which factors drive the success of citizen science activities. Based on a systematic literature review of 56 peer-reviewed research articles, we identify three sets of factors for successful citizen science projects in water quality monitoring: (i) attributes of citizens (knowledge and experience in collecting data, awareness of environmental problems, motivation, and socio-economic background of citizens), (ii) attributes of institutions (motivation, type of organization, consistent and adequate funding), and (iii) the interactions between citizens and institutions (supporting structure, communication and feedback). These three sets of factors enable a systematic analysis and design of citizen science projects in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tamara Avellán
- United Nations University - Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES), Germany
| | - Jiwon Kim
- United Nations University - Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES), Germany
| | - Sabrina Kirschke
- United Nations University - Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES), Germany
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Baalbaki R, Ahmad SH, Kays W, Talhouk SN, Saliba NA, Al-Hindi M. Citizen science in Lebanon-a case study for groundwater quality monitoring. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:181871. [PMID: 30891297 PMCID: PMC6408373 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.181871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, several citizen science projects have been launched, with a smaller subset addressing citizen scientists' involvement in water quality monitoring. Most of these projects were conducted in developed countries and focused on qualitative assessment and measurements of a limited number of water quality parameters. Moreover, data generated by citizen scientists were mainly for monitoring purposes and rarely resulted in remedial measures. In this work, a collaborative citizen science approach involving local citizens and university researchers was applied to assess the groundwater quality in a Lebanese village. Using a mobile laboratory, winter and summer sampling campaigns were conducted and 12 physical, chemical and biological water quality parameters were tested. Results indicated that the data generated by the citizen scientists were comparable with those generated by university researchers for the majority of physical and chemical water quality parameters. However, the bacteriological test results showed a marked difference and may be attributed to the complexity of the testing procedure and quality of testing material. The collaborative and participatory approach resulted in building local capacity and knowledge and in the formation of a locally elected water committee which will be responsible for continuous monitoring of the groundwater resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Baalbaki
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Serine Haidar Ahmad
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Wassim Kays
- Nature Conservation Center, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Salma N. Talhouk
- Department of Landscape and Ecosystem Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Najat A. Saliba
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Authors for correspondence: Najat A. Saliba e-mail:
| | - Mahmoud Al-Hindi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Authors for correspondence: Mahmoud Al-Hindi e-mail:
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Community-Based Monitoring in Response to Local Concerns: Creating Usable Knowledge for Water Management in Rural Land. WATER 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/w10050542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Trace and evaluation systems for health services quality in rural and remote areas: a systematic review. J Public Health (Oxf) 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10389-017-0858-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Cunha DGF, Marques JF, Resende JCDE, Falco PBDE, Souza CMDE, Loiselle SA. Citizen science participation in research in the environmental sciences: key factors related to projects' success and longevity. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2017; 89:2229-2245. [PMID: 28678962 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201720160548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential impacts of citizen science initiatives are increasing across the globe, albeit in an imbalanced manner. In general, there is a strong element of trial and error in most projects, and the comparison of best practices and project structure between different initiatives remains difficult. In Brazil, the participation of volunteers in environmental research is limited. Identifying the factors related to citizen science projects' success and longevity within a global perspective can contribute for consolidating such practices in the country. In this study, we explore past and present projects, including a case study in Brazil, to identify the spatial and temporal trends of citizen science programs as well as their best practices and challenges. We performed a bibliographic search using Google Scholar and considered results from 2005-2014. Although these results are subjective due to the Google Scholar's algorithm and ranking criteria, we highlighted factors to compare projects across geographical and disciplinary areas and identified key matches between project proponents and participants, project goals and local priorities, participant profiles and engagement, scientific methods and funding. This approach is a useful starting point for future citizen science projects, allowing for a systematic analysis of potential inconsistencies and shortcomings in this emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davi G F Cunha
- Departamento de Hidráulica e Saneamento, Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São-Carlense, 400, Centro, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Jonatas F Marques
- Departamento de Hidráulica e Saneamento, Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São-Carlense, 400, Centro, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana C DE Resende
- Departamento de Hidráulica e Saneamento, Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São-Carlense, 400, Centro, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia B DE Falco
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, s/n, Jardim Guanabara, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Steven A Loiselle
- Earthwatch Institute, Oxford, 256 Banbury Rd, Oxford OX2 7DE, United Kingdom
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Earth Stewardship, Socioecosystems, the Need for a Transdisciplinary Approach and the Role of the International Long Term Ecological Research Network (ILTER). EARTH STEWARDSHIP 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-12133-8_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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