1
|
Ricci L, Di Musciano M, Sabatini FM, Chiarucci A, Zannini P, Gatti RC, Beierkuhnlein C, Walentowitz A, Lawrence A, Frattaroli AR, Hoffmann S. A multitaxonomic assessment of Natura 2000 effectiveness across European biogeographic regions. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e14212. [PMID: 37904665 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
The Natura 2000 (N2K) protected area (PA) network is a crucial tool to limit biodiversity loss in Europe. Despite covering 18% of the European Union's (EU) land area, its effectiveness at conserving biodiversity across taxa and biogeographic regions remains uncertain. Testing this effectiveness is, however, difficult because it requires considering the nonrandom location of PAs, and many possible confounding factors. We used propensity score matching and accounted for the confounding effects of biogeographic regions, terrain ruggedness, and land cover to assess the effectiveness of N2K PAs on the distribution of 1769 species of conservation priority in the EU's Birds and Habitats Directives, including mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, arthropods, fishes, mollusks, and vascular and nonvascular plants. We compared alpha, beta, and gamma diversity between matched selections of protected and unprotected areas across EU's biogeographic regions with generalized linear models, generalized mixed models, and nonparametric tests for paired samples, respectively, for each taxonomic group and for the entire set of species. PAs in N2K hosted significantly more priority species than unprotected land, but this difference was not consistent across biogeographic regions or taxa. Total alpha diversity and alpha diversity of amphibians, arthropods, birds, mammals, and vascular plants were significantly higher inside PAs than outside, except in the Boreal biogeographical region. Beta diversity was in general significantly higher inside N2K PAs than outside. Similarly, gamma diversity had the highest values inside PAs, with some exceptions in Boreal and Atlantic regions. The planned expansion of the N2K network, as dictated by the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, should therefore target areas in the southern part of the Boreal region where species diversity of amphibians, arthropods, birds, mammals, and vascular plants is high and species are currently underrepresented in N2K.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Ricci
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Michele Di Musciano
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- BIOME Lab, BiGeA Department, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Maria Sabatini
- BIOME Lab, BiGeA Department, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Alessandro Chiarucci
- BIOME Lab, BiGeA Department, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Piero Zannini
- BIOME Lab, BiGeA Department, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Cazzolla Gatti
- BIOME Lab, BiGeA Department, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carl Beierkuhnlein
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Geographical Institute of the University of Bayreuth, GIB, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Anna Walentowitz
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | | | - Anna Rita Frattaroli
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Samuel Hoffmann
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt, Augsburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Riva F, Barbero F, Balletto E, Bonelli S. Combining environmental niche models, multi-grain analyses, and species traits identifies pervasive effects of land use on butterfly biodiversity across Italy. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:1715-1728. [PMID: 36695553 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how species respond to human activities is paramount to ecology and conservation science, one outstanding question being how large-scale patterns in land use affect biodiversity. To facilitate answering this question, we propose a novel analytical framework that combines environmental niche models, multi-grain analyses, and species traits. We illustrate the framework capitalizing on the most extensive dataset compiled to date for the butterflies of Italy (106,514 observations for 288 species), assessing how agriculture and urbanization have affected biodiversity of these taxa from landscape to regional scales (3-48 km grains) across the country while accounting for its steep climatic gradients. Multiple lines of evidence suggest pervasive and scale-dependent effects of land use on butterflies in Italy. While land use explained patterns in species richness primarily at grains ≤12 km, idiosyncratic responses in species highlighted "winners" and "losers" across human-dominated regions. Detrimental effects of agriculture and urbanization emerged from landscape (3-km grain) to regional (48-km grain) scales, disproportionally affecting small butterflies and butterflies with a short flight curve. Human activities have therefore reorganized the biogeography of Italian butterflies, filtering out species with poor dispersal capacity and narrow niche breadth not only from local assemblages, but also from regional species pools. These results suggest that global conservation efforts neglecting large-scale patterns in land use risk falling short of their goals, even for taxa typically assumed to persist in small natural areas (e.g., invertebrates). Our study also confirms that consideration of spatial scales will be crucial to implementing effective conservation actions in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. In this context, applications of the proposed analytical framework have broad potential to identify which mechanisms underlie biodiversity change at different spatial scales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Riva
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francesca Barbero
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology (DBIOS), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Emilio Balletto
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology (DBIOS), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Simona Bonelli
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology (DBIOS), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Barnes AE, Davies JG, Martay B, Boersch-Supan PH, Harris SJ, Noble DG, Pearce-Higgins JW, Robinson RA. Rare and declining bird species benefit most from designating protected areas for conservation in the UK. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:92-101. [PMID: 36471120 PMCID: PMC9834046 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01927-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There have been recent renewed commitments to increase the extent of protected areas to combat the growing biodiversity crisis but the underpinning evidence for their effectiveness is mixed and causal connections are rarely evaluated. We used data gathered by three large-scale citizen science programmes in the UK to provide the most comprehensive assessment to date of whether national (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and European (Special Protection Areas/Special Areas of Conservation) designated areas are associated with improved state (occurrence, abundance), change (rates of colonization, persistence and trend in abundance), community structure and, uniquely, demography (productivity) on a national avifauna, while controlling for differences in land cover, elevation and climate. We found positive associations with state that suggest these areas are well targeted and that the greatest benefit accrued to the most conservation-dependent species since positive associations with change were largely restricted to rare and declining species and habitat specialists. We suggest that increased productivity provides a plausible demographic mechanism for positive effects of designation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A. E. Barnes
- grid.423196.b0000 0001 2171 8108British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, UK
| | - J. G. Davies
- grid.11918.300000 0001 2248 4331British Trust for Ornithology (Scotland), Unit 15 Beta Centre, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, UK
| | - B. Martay
- grid.11918.300000 0001 2248 4331British Trust for Ornithology (Scotland), Unit 15 Beta Centre, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, UK
| | - P. H. Boersch-Supan
- grid.423196.b0000 0001 2171 8108British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, UK
| | - S. J. Harris
- grid.423196.b0000 0001 2171 8108British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, UK
| | - D. G. Noble
- grid.423196.b0000 0001 2171 8108British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, UK
| | - J. W. Pearce-Higgins
- grid.423196.b0000 0001 2171 8108British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, UK ,grid.5335.00000000121885934Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
| | - R. A. Robinson
- grid.423196.b0000 0001 2171 8108British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Management of Marine Natura 2000 Sites as Exemplified by Seabirds Wintering in the Baltic Sea: The Case of Poland. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14121081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Based on the example of wintering waterbirds in the Baltic Sea, we show an approach that is useful in defining priority species for management. The Value Factor (VF) is the quantitative method for evaluating the importance of an area for a species. Every year, 4,400,000 waterbirds winter in the Baltic. Among these, the highest priority species are velvet scoter Melanitta fusca (hereafter VS, VF = 153) and long-tailed duck Clangula hyemalis (hereafter LTD, VF = 204): 74% and 40%, respectively, of the world’s populations, and over 90% of the EU populations of both species spend the winter in the Baltic. Management plans (hereafter MP) regulating the protection of marine Natura 2000 sites (hereafter MPA) and dedicated to the protection of VS and LTD have been implemented in 65% and 51%, respectively, of MPAs in the Baltic. Poland, a key country for the survival of these species, has not implemented a single MP despite the existence of documentation confirming their crucial importance for seaducks, and the pressures occurring there. We suggest using the VF concept to define priority species. On this basis, it will be possible to identify gaps in the protection of the most seriously threatened species and implement conservation measures at the most appropriate sites.
Collapse
|
5
|
Assessing protected area network effectiveness through the temporal change in avian communities’ composition. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
6
|
Möckel S. Natura 2000-sites: Legal requirements for agricultural and forestry land-use. NATURE CONSERVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.48.77899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The agricultural and forestry use of land does not only mark large parts of the European Union, but also a significant share of land within the European ecological network Natura 2000. Member States, therefore, try to exempt as far as possible these land uses from the protection regime of Natura 2000-sites. However, at the same time, Member States latest reports on habitats and wild species of Community importance indicate that, in particular, the intensification of agriculture and forestry in recent decades has made it more difficult to improve conservation statuses or even worsened them. Hence, the aim of this article is to examine in detail the extent to which the protection regime of Article 6(2 and 3) Habitats Directive is applicable to land-use in agriculture and forestry. In this context, of particular relevance is the question of when the use of land in agriculture and forestry or individual management measures within and near Natura 2000-sites are projects for which an appropriate assessment is necessary before implementation; and which, in the case that significant adverse effects to a site cannot be ruled out, are permitted only under the reasons for exemption given in Article 6(4) Habitats Directive. The analysis includes the case law of the European Court of Justice, as well as decisions of the German Federal Constitutional Court and the German Federal Administrative Court.
Collapse
|
7
|
Assessing Natura 2000 coverage of river fish species in Greece: What do field surveys show? J Nat Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
8
|
Concurrent Butterfly, Bat and Small Mammal Monitoring Programmes Using Citizen Science in Catalonia (NE Spain): A Historical Review and Future Directions. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13090454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Biodiversity and Bioindicators research group (BiBIO), based at the Natural Sciences Museum of Granollers, has coordinated four long-term faunal monitoring programmes based on citizen science over more than two decades in Catalonia (NE Spain). We summarize the historical progress of these programmes, describing their main conservation outputs, the challenges overcome, and future directions. The Catalan Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (CBMS) consists of a network of nearly 200 recording sites where butterfly populations have been monitored through visual censuses along transects for nearly three decades. This programme provides accurate temporal and spatial changes in the abundance of butterflies and relates them to different environmental factors (e.g., habitat and weather conditions). The Bat Monitoring Programme has progressively evolved to include passive acoustic monitoring protocols, as well as bat box-, underground- and river-bat surveys, and community ecological indices have been developed to monitor bat responses at assemblage level to both landscape and climatic changes. The Monitoring of common small mammals in Spain (SEMICE), a common small mammal monitoring programme with almost 80 active live-trapping stations, provides information to estimate population trends and has underlined the relevance of small mammals as both prey (of several predators) and predators (of insect forest pests). The Dormouse Monitoring Programme represents the first monitoring programme in Europe using specific nest boxes for the edible dormouse, providing information about biological and demographic data of the species at the southern limit of its distribution range. The combination and complementarity of these monitoring programmes provide crucial data to land managers to improve the understanding of conservation needs and develop efficient protection laws.
Collapse
|
9
|
Thomaes A, Barbalat S, Bardiani M, Bower L, Campanaro A, Fanega Sleziak N, Gonçalo Soutinho J, Govaert S, Harvey D, Hawes C, Kadej M, Méndez M, Meriguet B, Rink M, Rossi De Gasperis S, Ruyts S, Jelaska LŠ, Smit J, Smolis A, Snegin E, Tagliani A, Vrezec A. The European Stag Beetle ( Lucanus cervus) Monitoring Network: International Citizen Science Cooperation Reveals Regional Differences in Phenology and Temperature Response. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12090813. [PMID: 34564253 PMCID: PMC8466357 DOI: 10.3390/insects12090813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary International cooperation is needed to prevent the loss of threatened species. To evaluate the situation, standardised monitoring is an important tool. Involving the general public (citizen science) can play a crucial role in realising such international monitoring. Here we report on the start-up and initial findings of the European Stag Beetle Monitoring Network (ESBMN), an international network of stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) monitoring schemes using the same protocol. This network aims to regularly assess local and international changes in the population of the stag beetle. Therefore, an internationally standardised protocol was agreed and a website was created where volunteers can create a transect and submit the data of their transect walks. Currently, the number of transects and transect walks submitted is increasing annually and will soon allow trend analysis. Our initial experience with the ESBMN shows that volunteers need more guidance and encouragement to avoid them dropping out of the project. In conclusion, we believe this system of international cooperation can be used for other charismatic insects in order to evaluate their threatened status and plan conservation actions. Abstract To address the decline in biodiversity, international cooperation in monitoring of threatened species is needed. Citizen science can play a crucial role in achieving this challenging goal, but most citizen science projects have been established at national or regional scales. Here we report on the establishment and initial findings of the European Stag Beetle Monitoring Network (ESBMN), an international network of stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) monitoring schemes using the same protocol. The network, started in 2016, currently includes 14 countries (see results) but with a strong variation in output regarding the number of transects (148 successful transects in total) and transect walks (1735). We found differences across European regions in the number of stag beetles recorded, related to phenology and temperature, but not for time of transect start. Furthermore, the initial experiences of the ESBMN regarding international cooperation, citizen science approach, and drop-out of volunteers is discussed. An international standardised protocol that allows some local variation is essential for international collaboration and data management, and analysis is best performed at the international level, whereas recruiting, training, and maintaining volunteers is best organised locally. In conclusion, we appeal for more joint international citizen science-based monitoring initiatives assisting international red-listing and conservation actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arno Thomaes
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Marco Bardiani
- Raparto Carabinieri Biodiversità di Verona, Centro Nazionale Carabinieri Biodiversità ‘Bosco Fontana’, 46045 Marmirolo, Italy;
| | - Laura Bower
- People’s Trust for Endangered Species, London SW8 4BG, UK;
| | | | - Natalia Fanega Sleziak
- Department of Biosystems (BIOSYST), Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - João Gonçalo Soutinho
- Associação Bioliving, 3850-635 Frossos, Portugal;
- CIBIO/InBIO—Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sanne Govaert
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Environment, Forest & Nature Lab, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Deborah Harvey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK;
| | - Colin Hawes
- Independent Researcher, Bentley IP9 2BS, UK;
| | - Marcin Kadej
- Department of Invertebrate Biology, Evolution and Conservation, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland; (M.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Marcos Méndez
- Area of Biodiversity and Conservation, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Móstoles, Spain;
| | - Bruno Meriguet
- Office Pour Les Insectes et Leur Environnement, 78280 Guyancourt, France;
| | - Markus Rink
- Hirschkäferfreunde-Nature Two e.V., 56859 Alf, Germany;
| | - Sarah Rossi De Gasperis
- Department of Biology-Natural History Museum ‘La Specola’, University of Florence, 50125 Florence, Italy;
| | | | - Lucija Šerić Jelaska
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - John Smit
- European Invertebrate Survey—The Netherlands/Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2300 Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Adrian Smolis
- Department of Invertebrate Biology, Evolution and Conservation, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland; (M.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Eduard Snegin
- Biology and Chemistry Department, Belgorod State University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia;
| | - Arianna Tagliani
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Al Vrezec
- Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, National Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Comay O, Ben Yehuda O, Schwartz‐Tzachor R, Benyamini D, Pe'er I, Ktalav I, Pe'er G. Environmental controls on butterfly occurrence and species richness in Israel: The importance of temperature over rainfall. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:12035-12050. [PMID: 34522359 PMCID: PMC8427576 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Butterflies are considered important indicators representing the state of biodiversity and key ecosystem functions, but their use as bioindicators requires a better understanding of how their observed response is linked to environmental factors. Moreover, better understanding how butterfly faunas vary with climate and land cover may be useful to estimate the potential impacts of various drivers, including climate change, botanical succession, grazing, and afforestation. It is particularly important to establish which species of butterflies are sensitive to each environmental driver. The study took place in Israel, including the West Bank and Golan Heights. To develop a robust and systematic approach for identifying how butterfly faunas vary with the environment, we analyzed the occurrence of 73 species and the abundance of 24 species from Israeli Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (BMS-IL) data. We used regional generalized additive models to quantify butterfly abundance, and generalized linear latent variable models and generalized linear models to quantify the impact of temperature, rainfall, soil type, and habitat on individual species and on the species community. Species richness was higher for cooler transects, and also for hilly and mountainous transects in the Mediterranean region (rendzina and Terra rossa soils) compared with the coastal plain (Hamra soil) and semiarid northern Jordan Vale (loessial sierozem soil). Species occurrence was better explained by temperature (negative correlation) than precipitation, while for abundance the opposite pattern was found. Soil type and habitat were insignificant drivers of occurrence and abundance. Butterfly faunas responded very strongly to temperature, even when accounting for other environmental factors. We expect that some butterfly species will disappear from marginal sites with global warming, and a large proportion will become rarer as the region becomes increasingly arid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Orr Comay
- Department of Ecosystem ServicesUFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental ResearchLeipzigGermany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
- School of Zoology and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural HistoryTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | | | | | | | - Israel Pe'er
- GlueCAD‐Biodiversity ITBMS‐IL Web‐portalHaifaIsrael
| | - Inbar Ktalav
- Department of ArchaeologyLaboratory of ArchaeozoologyUniversity of HaifaHaifaIsrael
| | - Guy Pe'er
- Department of Ecosystem ServicesUFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental ResearchLeipzigGermany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Portaccio A, Basile M, Favaretto A, Campagnaro T, Pettenella D, Sitzia T. The role of Natura 2000 in relation to breeding birds decline on multiple land cover types and policy implications. J Nat Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
12
|
Costa RA, Sá S, Pereira AT, Ferreira M, Vingada JV, Eira C. Threats to seabirds in Portugal: integrating data from a rehabilitation centre and stranding network. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-021-01483-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
13
|
Kishimoto K, Kobori H. COVID-19 pandemic drives changes in participation in citizen science project "City Nature Challenge" in Tokyo. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 2021; 255:109001. [PMID: 34565806 PMCID: PMC8455166 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way large citizen science events can be carried out-reducing gatherings of large groups and shifting toward individual, small-group, and online participation. This paper aims to describe changes in participant engagement in the City Nature Challenge (CNC) in Tokyo. The CNC is a four-day international event held in April to document biodiversity in cities using an online citizen science platform, iNaturalist. To assess the impact of COVID-19, we compared the number of participants, observations, species, and identification rates in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2020 (during the pandemic). We also used cluster analysis to elucidate participation patterns, and we assessed changes in the geographical distribution of observation sites. The results showed: (1) the number of participants and observations decreased by 63% and 68%, respectively; however, the number of species was almost the same in the two years, and the identification rate increased 154% in 2020 relative to 2019. (2) The most enthusiastic participants contributed in similar amounts in 2019 and 2020, but participation by less enthusiastic volunteers drastically declined. (3) The spatial distribution of observation sites changed from cluster-like to scattered. Understanding participant engagement during the pandemic could help to improve data quality, reduce geographical bias in observations, maintain records, and recruit more users in future years. Online citizen science could provide opportunities for many citizens to get outside and participate in conservation science during and after the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keidai Kishimoto
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture 252-0882, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kobori
- Faculty of Environmental Studies, Tokyo City University, 3-3-1 Ushikubo-Nishi, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 224-8551, Japan
| |
Collapse
|