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Díaz-Calafat J, Jaume-Ramis S, Soacha K, Álvarez A, Piera J. Revealing biases in insect observations: A comparative analysis between academic and citizen science data. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305757. [PMID: 39024343 PMCID: PMC11257294 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Citizen Science is a powerful tool for biodiversity research, as it facilitates data recording at large scales that would otherwise be impossible to cover by standard academic research. Despite its benefits, the accuracy of citizen science data remains a subject of concern among scientists, with varying results reported so far. Neither citizen science data nor academic records are immune to biases, which can significantly impact the quality and reliability of observations. Here, using insects in the Iberian Peninsula as a case study, we compare data collected by participatory platforms to those obtained through academic research projects, and assess their taxonomic, spatial, temporal, and environmental biases. Results show a prominent taxonomic bias in both academic and citizen science data, with certain insect orders receiving more attention than others. These taxonomic biases are conserved between different participatory platforms, as well as between groups of users with different levels of contribution performance. The biases captured by leading contributors in participatory platforms mirrored those of sporadic users and academic data. Citizen science data had higher spatial coverage and less spatial clustering than academic data, showing also clearer trends in temporal seasonality. Environmental coverage over time was more stable in citizen science than in academic records. User behaviour, preference, taxonomical expertise, data collection methodologies and external factors may contribute to these biases. This study shows the multifaceted nature of biases present in academic records and citizen science platforms. The insights gained from this analysis emphasize the need for careful consideration of these biases when making use of biodiversity data from different sources. Combining academic and citizen science data enhances our understanding of biodiversity, as their integration offers a more comprehensive perspective than relying solely on either dataset alone, especially since biases in these two types of data are not always the same.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Díaz-Calafat
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Sebastià Jaume-Ramis
- Mediterranean Parasitology and Ecoepidemiology Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Karen Soacha
- EMBIMOS Research Group, Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Doctorate Program in Information and Knowledge Society, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Álvarez
- EMBIMOS Research Group, Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Piera
- EMBIMOS Research Group, Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
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2
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Cardenas JA, Samadikhoshkho Z, Rehman AU, Valle-Pérez AU, de León EHP, Hauser CAE, Feron EM, Ahmad R. A systematic review of robotic efficacy in coral reef monitoring techniques. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 202:116273. [PMID: 38569302 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Coral reefs are home to a variety of species, and their preservation is a popular study area; however, monitoring them is a significant challenge, for which the use of robots offers a promising answer. The purpose of this study is to analyze the current techniques and tools employed in coral reef monitoring, with a focus on the role of robotics and its potential in transforming this sector. Using a systematic review methodology examining peer-reviewed literature across engineering and earth sciences from the Scopus database focusing on "robotics" and "coral reef" keywords, the article is divided into three sections: coral reef monitoring, robots in coral reef monitoring, and case studies. The initial findings indicated a variety of monitoring strategies, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Case studies have also highlighted the global application of robotics in monitoring, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities unique to each context. Robotic interventions driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning have led to a new era in coral reef monitoring. Such developments not only improve monitoring but also support the conservation and restoration of these vulnerable ecosystems. Further research is required, particularly on robotic systems for monitoring coral nurseries and maximizing coral health in both indoor and open-sea settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Cardenas
- Aquaponics 4.0 Learning Factory (AllFactory), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Zahra Samadikhoshkho
- Aquaponics 4.0 Learning Factory (AllFactory), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Ateeq Ur Rehman
- Aquaponics 4.0 Learning Factory (AllFactory), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Alexander U Valle-Pérez
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Jeddah 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elena Herrera-Ponce de León
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Jeddah 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Charlotte A E Hauser
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Jeddah 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eric M Feron
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rafiq Ahmad
- Aquaponics 4.0 Learning Factory (AllFactory), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
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Butler G, Ross K, Beaman J, Hoepner C, Baring R, Burke da Silva K. Utilising tourist-generated citizen science data in response to environmental challenges: A systematic literature review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 339:117889. [PMID: 37058928 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
There has been a proliferation of studies that have examined the impacts of public participation in Citizen Science (CS) that respond to environmental challenges and the recovery of ecosystems, endangered species or other important natural assets. However, comparatively few studies have explored how tourists may play a critical role in the generation of CS data and thus it has been posited that many potential opportunities remain unrealised. By systematically analysing studies that have utilised tourist-generated data in response to environmental challenges or issues, this paper seeks to establish an appraisal of what has so far been established in extant literature and to identify future possibilities for the inclusion of tourists in CS. Via our literature search, a total of 45 peer-reviewed studies were identified via the PRISMA search protocol. Our findings reveal numerous positive outcomes were reported that highlight the significant, yet largely untapped, potential of tourist integration in CS, with studies also offering a range of recommendations on how tourists could be included more effectively to expand scientific knowledge. Notwithstanding, several limitations were observed, and it is critical that future CS projects that utilise tourists for data collection purposes are acutely aware of the challenges they may encounter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Butler
- College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA5042, Australia; Faculty of Management, University of Johannesburg, Bunting Road, Cottesloe, Gauteng, 2092, South Africa.
| | - Kirstin Ross
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA5042, Australia.
| | - Julian Beaman
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA5042, Australia.
| | - Cassie Hoepner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA5042, Australia.
| | - Ryan Baring
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA5042, Australia.
| | - Karen Burke da Silva
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA5042, Australia.
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4
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Rogers AD, Appeltans W, Assis J, Ballance LT, Cury P, Duarte C, Favoretto F, Hynes LA, Kumagai JA, Lovelock CE, Miloslavich P, Niamir A, Obura D, O'Leary BC, Ramirez-Llodra E, Reygondeau G, Roberts C, Sadovy Y, Steeds O, Sutton T, Tittensor DP, Velarde E, Woodall L, Aburto-Oropeza O. Discovering marine biodiversity in the 21st century. ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2022; 93:23-115. [PMID: 36435592 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We review the current knowledge of the biodiversity of the ocean as well as the levels of decline and threat for species and habitats. The lack of understanding of the distribution of life in the ocean is identified as a significant barrier to restoring its biodiversity and health. We explore why the science of taxonomy has failed to deliver knowledge of what species are present in the ocean, how they are distributed and how they are responding to global and regional to local anthropogenic pressures. This failure prevents nations from meeting their international commitments to conserve marine biodiversity with the results that investment in taxonomy has declined in many countries. We explore a range of new technologies and approaches for discovery of marine species and their detection and monitoring. These include: imaging methods, molecular approaches, active and passive acoustics, the use of interconnected databases and citizen science. Whilst no one method is suitable for discovering or detecting all groups of organisms many are complementary and have been combined to give a more complete picture of biodiversity in marine ecosystems. We conclude that integrated approaches represent the best way forwards for accelerating species discovery, description and biodiversity assessment. Examples of integrated taxonomic approaches are identified from terrestrial ecosystems. Such integrated taxonomic approaches require the adoption of cybertaxonomy approaches and will be boosted by new autonomous sampling platforms and development of machine-speed exchange of digital information between databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex D Rogers
- REV Ocean, Lysaker, Norway; Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Ward Appeltans
- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, Oostende, Belgium
| | - Jorge Assis
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Lisa T Ballance
- Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, United States
| | | | - Carlos Duarte
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Fabio Favoretto
- Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Lisa A Hynes
- Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joy A Kumagai
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Catherine E Lovelock
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Patricia Miloslavich
- Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States; Departamento de Estudios Ambientales, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Venezuela & Scientific Committee for Oceanic Research (SCOR), Newark, DE, United States
| | - Aidin Niamir
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Bethan C O'Leary
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom; Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Ramirez-Llodra
- REV Ocean, Lysaker, Norway; Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriel Reygondeau
- Yale Center for Biodiversity Movement and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Nippon Foundation-Nereus Program, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Callum Roberts
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - Yvonne Sadovy
- School of Biological Sciences, Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Oliver Steeds
- Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tracey Sutton
- Nova Southeastern University, Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Dania Beach, FL, United States
| | | | - Enriqueta Velarde
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Pesquerías, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Lucy Woodall
- Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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5
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Johnson JV, Exton DA, Dick JTA, Oakley J, Jompa J, Pincheira-Donoso D. The relative influence of sea surface temperature anomalies on the benthic composition of an Indo-Pacific and Caribbean coral reef over the last decade. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:ECE39263. [PMID: 36091340 PMCID: PMC9448965 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Rising ocean temperatures are the primary driver of coral reef declines throughout the tropics. Such declines include reductions in coral cover that facilitate the monopolization of the benthos by other taxa such as macroalgae, resulting in reduced habitat complexity and biodiversity. Long-term monitoring projects present rare opportunities to assess how sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) influence changes in the benthic composition of coral reefs across distinct locations. Here, using extensively monitored coral reef sites from Honduras (in the Caribbean Sea), and from the Wakatobi National Park located in the center of the coral triangle of Indonesia, we assess the impact of global warming on coral reef benthic compositions over the period 2012-2019. Bayesian generalized linear mixed effect models revealed increases in the sponge, and hard coral coverage through time, while rubble coverage decreased at the Indonesia location. Conversely, the effect of SSTAs did not predict any changes in benthic coverage. At the Honduras location, algae and soft coral coverage increased through time, while hard coral and rock coverage were decreasing. The effects of SSTA at the Honduras location included increased rock coverage, but reduced sponge coverage, indicating disparate responses between both systems under SSTAs. However, redundancy analyses showed intralocation site variability explained the majority of variance in benthic composition over the course of the study period. Our findings show that SSTAs have differentially influenced the benthic composition between the Honduras and the Indonesian coral reefs surveyed in this study. However, the large intralocation variance that explains the benthic composition at both locations indicates that localized processes have a predominant role in explaining benthic composition over the last decade. The sustained monitoring effort is critical for understanding how these reefs will change in their composition as global temperatures continue to rise through the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack V Johnson
- Macrobiodiversity Lab, School of Biological Sciences Queen's University Belfast Belfast UK.,Operation Wallacea Spilsby UK
| | | | - Jaimie T A Dick
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences Queen's University Belfast Belfast UK
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6
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Palumbo R, Manesh MF, Sorrentino M. Mapping the State of the Art to Envision the Future of Large-Scale Citizen Science Projects: An Interpretive Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219877022300014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Citizen science, i.e. citizens’ involvement in research activities, is achieving an increasing relevance across disparate scientific domains. However, literature is not consistent in arguing citizen science’s attributes and implications when large-scale projects are concerned. The paper systematizes extant scientific knowledge in this field and identifies avenues for further developments through a bibliometric analysis and an interpretive review. Various approaches to citizen science are implemented to engage citizens in scientific research. They can be located in a continuum composed of two extremes: a contributory approach, which serves research institutions’ needs, and an open science approach, which focuses on citizens’ active participation in knowledge co-creation. Although contributory citizen science paves the way for participatory science, it falls short in empowering citizens, which is central in the open science approach. Interventions aimed at enabling citizens to have an active role in co-creating knowledge in a perspective of science democratization are key to overcoming the understanding of citizen science as a low-cost model of scientific research and to boost the transition towards an open science approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Palumbo
- Department of Management & Law, University “Tor Vergata” of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maddalena Sorrentino
- Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods, University of Milan, Italy
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7
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Kousteni V, Tsiamis K, Gervasini E, Zenetos A, Karachle PK, Cardoso AC. Citizen scientists contributing to alien species detection: the case of fishes and mollusks in European marine waters. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Kousteni
- European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) Ispra Italy
- Hellenic Agricultural Organization Fisheries Research Institute 64007 Nea Peramos, Kavala Greece
| | | | | | - Argyro Zenetos
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters 46.7th km Athens, Sounio Ave. P.O. Box 712 19013 Anavyssos Attiki Greece
| | - Paraskevi K. Karachle
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters 46.7th km Athens, Sounio Ave. P.O. Box 712 19013 Anavyssos Attiki Greece
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8
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Martín B, González–Arias J, Vicente–Vírseda JA. Machine learning as a successful approach for predicting complex spatio–temporal patterns in animal species abundance. ANIMAL BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION 2021. [DOI: 10.32800/abc.2021.44.0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Our aim was to identify an optimal analytical approach for accurately predicting complex spatio–temporal patterns in animal species distribution. We compared the performance of eight modelling techniques (generalized additive models, regression trees, bagged CART, k–nearest neighbors, stochastic gradient boosting, support vector machines, neural network, and random forest –enhanced form of bootstrap. We also performed extreme gradient boosting –an enhanced form of radiant boosting– to predict spatial patterns in abundance of migrating Balearic shearwaters based on data gathered within eBird. Derived from open–source datasets, proxies of frontal systems and ocean productivity domains that have been previously used to characterize the oceanographic habitats of seabirds were quantified, and then used as predictors in the models. The random
forest model showed the best performance according to the parameters assessed (RMSE value and R2). The correlation between observed and predicted abundance with this model was also considerably high. This study shows that the combination of machine learning techniques and massive data provided by open data sources is a useful approach for identifying the long–term spatial–temporal distribution of species at regional spatial scales.
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Field measurements of a massive Porites coral at Goolboodi (Orpheus Island), Great Barrier Reef. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15334. [PMID: 34413333 PMCID: PMC8376919 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94818-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An exceptionally large coral Porites sp. has been identified and measured at Goolboodi (Orpheus Island), Great Barrier Reef (GBR). This coral was measured in March 2021 during citizen science research of coral reefs in the Palm Islands group. We conducted a literature review and consulted scientists to compare the size, age and health of the Porites with others in the GBR and internationally. This is the largest diameter Porites coral measured by scientists and the sixth highest coral measured in the GBR. The health of the Porites was assessed as very good with over 70% live coral cover and minor percentages of sponge, live coral rock and macroalgae. An estimated age of 421–438 years was calculated based on linear growth models. Manbarra Traditional Owners were consulted and suggested that the Porites be named Muga dhambi (big coral) to communicate traditional knowledge, language and culture to indigenous, tourists, scientists and students.
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Alther R, Bongni N, Borko Š, Fišer C, Altermatt F. Citizen science approach reveals groundwater fauna in Switzerland and a new species of Niphargus (Amphipoda, Niphargidae). SUBTERRANEAN BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.39.66755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge on the diversity and distribution of subterranean organisms is still scattered, even in faunistically relatively well-researched countries such as Switzerland. This is mostly due to the restricted access to these subterranean habitats. Better knowledge on these organisms is needed, because they contribute substantially to overall biodiversity of a region, often contain unique elements of biodiversity, and can potentially be indicative of the ecological status of subterranean ecosystems that are providing important ecosystem services such as drinking water. Past research on subterranean organisms has often used highly specialised sampling techniques and expert knowledge. Here, we show that inclusion of non-professionals can be an alternative and highly promising sampling strategy. We retrieved citizen science-based samples from municipal groundwater wells across Switzerland, mainly from the Swiss Plateau. Opportunistic samples from 313 sites revealed a previously undocumented groundwater fauna including organisms from different major invertebrate groups, with a dominance of crustaceans. Here, we studied amphipods of the genus Niphargus. Among all 363 individuals sampled, we found in total eight nominal species. Two of them, namely N. fontanus and N. kieferi, are reported for Switzerland for the first time. We also found four further phylogenetic lineages that are potentially new species to science. One of them is here formally described as Niphargus arolaensissp. nov. The description is based on molecular and morphometric data. Our study proves the suitability of citizen science to document subterranean diversity, supports groundwater conservation efforts with data, and raises awareness for the relevance and biodiversity of groundwater amphipods among stakeholders.
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11
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Ruiz‐Gutierrez V, Bjerre ER, Otto MC, Zimmerman GS, Millsap BA, Fink D, Stuber EF, Strimas‐Mackey M, Robinson OJ. A pathway for citizen science data to inform policy: A case study using
eBird
data for defining low‐risk collision areas for wind energy development. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily R. Bjerre
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceNational Raptor ProgramDivision of Migratory Bird Management Laurel MD USA
| | - Mark C. Otto
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceNational Raptor ProgramDivision of Migratory Bird Management Laurel MD USA
| | - Guthrie S. Zimmerman
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceNational Raptor ProgramDivision of Migratory Bird Management Laurel MD USA
| | - Brian A. Millsap
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceNational Raptor ProgramDivision of Migratory Bird Management Albuquerque NM USA
| | - Daniel Fink
- Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| | - Erica F. Stuber
- Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| | | | - Orin J. Robinson
- Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
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12
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Sánchez-Clavijo LM, Martínez-Callejas SJ, Acevedo-Charry O, Diaz-Pulido A, Gómez-Valencia B, Ocampo-Peñuela N, Ocampo D, Olaya-Rodríguez MH, Rey-Velasco JC, Soto-Vargas C, Ochoa-Quintero JM. Differential reporting of biodiversity in two citizen science platforms during COVID-19 lockdown in Colombia. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 2021; 256:109077. [PMID: 35702146 PMCID: PMC9186113 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the potential of using data from long-term citizen science projects to answer questions about the impacts of unexpected events on biodiversity. We evaluate the suitability of data from the citizen science platforms iNaturalist and eBird to describe the effects of the "anthropause" on biodiversity observation in Colombia. We compared record distribution according to human footprint, sampling behaviors, overall and conservation priority species composition during the strictest phase of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 to the same periods in 2015-2019. Overall participation in both platforms during the lockdown was high when compared to previous years, but records were concentrated on highly-transformed regions, had lower sampling efforts, and fewer species were recorded. For eBird, species composition was similar to that observed in previous years, and records of species of conservation concern declined in proportion to the decrease in overall species richness across samples. For iNaturalist, the species pool sampled each year remained too dissimilar for comparisons. Once differences in observer behaviors are accounted for, data from these platforms can be used in unplanned comparisons of relatively common species, in regions with high levels of human transformation, and at narrowly defined geographical contexts. To increase the potential of citizen science to monitor rarer species, more natural areas, or be used in large-scale analyses, we need to build and strengthen more diverse networks of observers that can further promote decentralization, democratization, and cost-effectiveness in biodiversity research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Orlando Acevedo-Charry
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Angélica Diaz-Pulido
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Bibiana Gómez-Valencia
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - David Ocampo
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | | | - Carolina Soto-Vargas
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, Bogotá, Colombia
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13
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Carr H, Abas M, Boutahar L, Caretti ON, Chan WY, Chapman ASA, de Mendonça SN, Engleman A, Ferrario F, Simmons KR, Verdura J, Zivian A. The Aichi Biodiversity Targets: achievements for marine conservation and priorities beyond 2020. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9743. [PMID: 33391861 PMCID: PMC7759131 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2010 the Conference of the Parties (COP) for the Convention on Biological Diversity revised and updated a Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020, which included the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Here a group of early career researchers mentored by senior scientists, convened as part of the 4th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity, reflects on the accomplishments and shortfalls under four of the Aichi Targets considered highly relevant to marine conservation: target 6 (sustainable fisheries), 11 (protection measures), 15 (ecosystem restoration and resilience) and 19 (knowledge, science and technology). We conclude that although progress has been made towards the targets, these have not been fully achieved for the marine environment by the 2020 deadline. The progress made, however, lays the foundations for further work beyond 2020 to work towards the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity. We identify key priorities that must be addressed to better enable marine biodiversity conservation efforts moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Carr
- The Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Marina Abas
- Departamento de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Loubna Boutahar
- BioBio Research Center, BioEcoGen Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco.,Laboratorío de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Olivia N Caretti
- Department of Marine, Earth, & Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Wing Yan Chan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia.,School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Abbie S A Chapman
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK.,Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Abigail Engleman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Filippo Ferrario
- Québec-Ocean and Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Kayelyn R Simmons
- Department of Marine, Earth, & Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jana Verdura
- Institut d'Ecologia Aquàtica, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
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14
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Martín B, Onrubia A, González-Arias J, Vicente-Vírseda JA. Citizen science for predicting spatio-temporal patterns in seabird abundance during migration. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236631. [PMID: 32797051 PMCID: PMC7428152 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pelagic seabirds are elusive species which are difficult to observe, thus determining their spatial distribution during the migration period is a difficult task. Here we undertook the first long-term study on the distribution of migrating shearwaters from data gathered within the framework of citizen science projects. Specifically, we collected daily abundance (only abundance given presence) of Balearic shearwaters from 2005 to 2017 from the online databases Trektellen and eBird. We applied machine-learning techniques, specifically Random Forest regression models, to predict shearwater abundance during migration using 15 environmental predictors. We built separated models for pre-breeding and post-breeding migration. When evaluated for the total data sample, the models explained more than 52% of the variation in shearwater abundance. The models also showed good ability to predict shearwater distributions for both migration periods (correlation between observed and predicted abundance was about 70%). However, relative variable importance and variation among the models built with different training data subsamples differed between migration periods. Our results showed that data gathered in citizen science initiatives together with recently available high-resolution satellite imagery, can be successfully applied to describe the migratory spatio-temporal patterns of seabird species accurately. We show that a predictive modelling approach may offer a powerful and cost-effective tool for the long-term monitoring of the migratory patterns in sensitive marine species, as well as to identify at sea areas relevant for their protection. Modelling approaches can also be essential tools to detect the impacts of climate and other global changes in this and other species within the range of the training data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julio González-Arias
- Business and Finance Department, Faculty of Economics and Business, UNED, Madrid, Spain
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15
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Robinson OJ, Ruiz‐Gutierrez V, Reynolds MD, Golet GH, Strimas‐Mackey M, Fink D. Integrating citizen science data with expert surveys increases accuracy and spatial extent of species distribution models. DIVERS DISTRIB 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Orin J. Robinson
- Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Daniel Fink
- Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
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16
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Martín B, Torralvo CA, Elias G, Tomás J, Onrubia A, Ferrer M. Are Western European ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) shortening their migration distances? Evidence from trends of the wintering population in the Iberian Peninsula. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1311-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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