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Vance-Chalcraft HD, Smith KC, Allen J, Bowser G, Cooper CB, Jelks NO, Karl C, Kodner R, Laslo M. Social Justice, Community Engagement, and Undergraduate STEM Education: Participatory Science as a Teaching Tool. CBE LIFE SCIENCES EDUCATION 2024; 23:es3. [PMID: 38728230 DOI: 10.1187/cbe.23-06-0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Social justice is increasingly being seen as relevant to the science curriculum. We examine the intersection of participatory science, social justice, and higher education in the United States to investigate how instructors can teach about social justice and enhance collaborations to work toward enacting social justice. Participatory science approaches, like those that collect data over large geographic areas, can be particularly useful for teaching students about social justice. Conversely, local-scale approaches that integrate students into community efforts can create powerful collaborations to help facilitate social justice. We suggest a variety of large-scale databases, platforms, and portals that could be used as starting points to address a set of learning objectives about social justice. We also describe local-scale participatory science approaches with a social justice focus, developed through academic and community partnerships. Considerations for implementing participatory science with undergraduates are discussed, including cautions about the necessary time investment, cultural competence, and institutional support. These approaches are not always appropriate but can provide compelling learning experiences in the correct circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kalynda Chivon Smith
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411
| | - Jessica Allen
- Department of Biological, Physical, and Health Sciences, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL 60605
| | - Gillian Bowser
- Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Caren B Cooper
- Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | | | | | - Robin Kodner
- Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225
| | - Mara Laslo
- Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481
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2
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Lamberson AM, Smith JA. Supplementary feeding of birds during the winter influences measures of avian community structure in yards in a subtropical city. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302007. [PMID: 38776305 PMCID: PMC11111068 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Supplementary feeding, the intentional provision of food to wild birds is a common activity in developed nations during the winter. The energy inputs represented by supplementary feeding are vast, and thus it is likely an important mechanism shaping bird communities in urban areas. However, research in this regard has mainly occurred in temperate and non-urban settings. Moreover, few studies have been informed by supplementary feeding habits of local community members limiting their inference. We evaluated the effects of two commonly provided wild bird foods on the abundance and species diversity of birds in yards over two winters in San Antonio, Texas, United States, a city located in a subtropical region. We used a reversed Before-After-Control-Impact experimental design in which yards were randomly allocated either mixed seed, Nyjer, or no food (control) between November 2019 and March 2020 (Year One). Between November 2020 and March 2021 (Year Two) supplementary food was not provided in any yards. Point counts conducted during both years of the study revealed that overall bird abundance was consistent between years in control yards and yards provided with Nyjer. In contrast, overall bird abundance was statistically significantly higher when supplementary food was present in mixed seed yards, driven by an increase in granivorous and omnivorous species. In contrast, supplementary feeding had no statistically significant effect on the abundance of insectivorous species or on species diversity, although species diversity tended to be higher in the presence of mixed seed. Our study demonstrates that wild bird food commonly provided by community members influences measures of avian community structure during the winter in urban yards in a subtropical city. However, these results depend on the type of bird food provided. Our results provide insight into the processes underlying the effects of urbanization on bird communities, and thus have implications for the management of urban birds more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. Lamberson
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jennifer A. Smith
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
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3
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Pearson CF, Hammer LJ, Eberhardt AL, Kenter LW, Berlinsky DL, Costello WJ, Hermann NT, Caldwell A, Burke EA, Walther BD, Furey NB. Monitoring post-spawning movement, habitat use, and survival of adult anadromous rainbow smelt using acoustic telemetry in a New Hampshire estuary. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38769029 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Anadromous rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax, [Mitchill 1814]) are found along the northeast Atlantic coastline of North America, with their range now limited to north of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA. Although their anadromous life cycles are described broadly, gaps remain regarding how adult rainbow smelt use estuaries post-spawning, including movement behaviors, habitats used, and specific timing of emigration to coastal waters. In spring 2021, we used acoustic telemetry to characterize movements during and after the spawning season of rainbow smelt captured in tributaries to Great Bay, New Hampshire, USA, a large estuarine system near the southern edge of their range. Forty-four adult rainbow smelt (n = 35 male, n = 9 female) were tagged with Innovasea V5 180-kHz transmitters and an array of 22,180 kHz VR2W receivers were deployed throughout Great Bay to detect movements of tagged fish from March to October 2021. Rainbow smelt were detected 14,186 times on acoustic telemetry receivers, with 41 (93%) of the tagged individuals being detected at least once post-tagging. Individuals were detected moving between tributaries, revealing that rainbow smelt can use multiple rivers during the spawning season (March-April). Mark-recapture Cormack-Jolly-Seber models estimated 83% (95% confidence interval 66%-92%) of rainbow smelt survived to the mainstem Piscataqua River, and a minimum of 50% (22 of 44) reached the seaward-most receivers and were presumed to have survived emigration. Most individuals that survived remained in the estuary for multiple weeks (average = 19.47 ± 1.99 standard error days), displaying extended use of estuarine environments. Downstream movements occurred more frequently during ebb tides and upstream movements with flood tides, possibly a mechanism to reduce energy expenditures. Fish emigrated from the estuary by mid-May to the coastal Gulf of Maine. Our results underscore that rainbow smelt need access to a variety of habitats, including multiple tributaries and high-quality estuarine habitat, to complete their life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe F Pearson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Lars J Hammer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Alyson L Eberhardt
- New Hampshire Sea Grant and UNH Extension, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Linas W Kenter
- New Hampshire Sea Grant and UNH Extension, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - David L Berlinsky
- Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Wellsley J Costello
- New Hampshire Sea Grant and UNH Extension, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Nathan T Hermann
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Aliya Caldwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Emily A Burke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Benjamin D Walther
- Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
| | - Nathan B Furey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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4
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Jönsson M, Kasperowski D, Coulson SJ, Nilsson J, Bína P, Kullenberg C, Hagen N, van der Wal R, Peterson J. Inequality persists in a large citizen science programme despite increased participation through ICT innovations. AMBIO 2024; 53:126-137. [PMID: 37707687 PMCID: PMC10692043 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01917-1] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Biological recording is a prominent and widely practised form of citizen science, but few studies explore long-term demographic trends in participation and knowledge production. We studied long-term demographic trends of age and gender of participants reporting to a large online citizen science multi-taxon biodiversity platform ( www.artportalen.se ). Adoption by user communities and continually developing Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) greatly increased the number of participants reporting data, but profound long-term imbalances in gender contribution across species groups persisted over time. Reporters identifying as male dominated in numbers, spent more days in the field reporting and reported more species on each field day. Moreover, an age imbalance towards older participants amplified over time. As the first long-term study of citizen participation by age and gender, our results show that it is important for citizen science project developers to account for cultural and social developments that might exclude participants, and to engage with underrepresented and younger participants. This could facilitate the breadth of engagement and learning across a larger societal landscape, ensure project longevity and biodiversity data representation (e.g. mitigate gender bias influence on the number of reports of different species groups).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Jönsson
- SLU Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Dick Kasperowski
- Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science, Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden
| | | | - Johan Nilsson
- SLU Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Pavel Bína
- Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christopher Kullenberg
- Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science, Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Niclas Hagen
- Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science, Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - René van der Wal
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jesse Peterson
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Geography, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Hadad S, Zhitomirsky-Geffet M, Shah H, Rigler D, Celentano U, Tiensuu H, Röning J, Vallverdú J, Csabella EJ, Stepankova O, Gialelis J, Lantavou K, Ignat T, Masone G, Winter J, Dumitrasco M. Modeling intrinsic factors of inclusive engagement in citizen science: Insights from the participants' survey analysis of CSI-COP. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294575. [PMID: 38015965 PMCID: PMC10684079 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294575] [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: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Inclusive citizen science, an emerging field, has seen extensive research. Prior studies primarily concentrated on creating theoretical models and practical strategies for diversifying citizen science (CS) projects. These studies relied on ethical frameworks or post-project empirical observations. Few examined active participants' socio-demographic and behavioral data. Notably, none, to our knowledge, explored prospective citizen scientists' traits as intrinsic factors to enhance diversity and engagement in CS. This paper presents a new inclusive CS engagement model based on quantitative analysis of surveys administered to 540 participants of the dedicated free informal education MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) 'Your Right to Privacy Online' from eight countries in the EU funded project, CSI-COP (Citizen Scientists Investigating Cookies and App GDPR compliance). The surveys were filled out just after completing the training stage and before joining the project as active CSs. Out of the 540 participants who completed the surveys analyzed in this study, only 170 (32%) individuals actively participated as CSs in the project. Therefore, the study attempted to understand what characterizes these participants compared to those who decided to refrain from joining the project after the training stage. The study employed descriptive analysis and advanced statistical tests to explore the correlations among different research variables. The findings revealed several important relationships and predictors for becoming a citizen scientist based on the surveys analysis, such as age, gender, culture, education, Internet accessibility and apps usage, as well as the satisfaction with the MOOC, the mode of training and initial intentions for becoming a CS. These findings lead to the development of the empirical model for inclusive engagement in CS and enhance the understanding of the internal factors that influence individuals' intention and actual participation as CSs. The devised model offers valuable insights and key implications for future CS initiatives. It emphasizes the necessity of targeted recruitment strategies, focusing on underrepresented groups and overcoming accessibility barriers. Positive learning experiences, especially through MOOCs, are crucial; enhancing training programs and making educational materials accessible and culturally diverse can boost participant motivation. Acknowledging varying technological proficiency and providing necessary resources enhances active engagement. Addressing the intention-engagement gap is vital; understanding underlying factors and creating supportive environments can transform intentions into active involvement. Embracing cultural diversity through language-specific strategies ensures an inclusive environment for effective contributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomit Hadad
- Department of Digital Learning Technologies, The Israel Academic College in Ramat-Gan, Raanana, Israel
| | | | - Huma Shah
- Department of Computational Science and Mathematical Modelling, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ulrico Celentano
- Biomimetics and Intelligent Systems Group, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Henna Tiensuu
- Biomimetics and Intelligent Systems Group, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Juha Röning
- Biomimetics and Intelligent Systems Group, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jordi Vallverdú
- Philosophy Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Jove Csabella
- Philosophy Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Stepankova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Assistive Technology, Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics, The Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - John Gialelis
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Konstantina Lantavou
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Tiberius Ignat
- Immer Besser GmbH and SKS Knowledge Services, Munich, Germany
| | - Giacomo Masone
- Department of Computational Science and Mathematical Modelling, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Jaimz Winter
- Department of Computational Science and Mathematical Modelling, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Marica Dumitrasco
- Department of Science and Innovation Management Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
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Strasser BJ, Tancoigne E, Baudry J, Piguet S, Spiers H, Luis-Fernandez Marquez J, Kasparian J, Grey F, Anderson D, Lintott C. Quantifying online citizen science: Dynamics and demographics of public participation in science. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293289. [PMID: 37988360 PMCID: PMC10662724 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293289] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Citizen scientists around the world are collecting data with their smartphones, performing scientific calculations on their home computers, and analyzing images on online platforms. These online citizen science projects are frequently lauded for their potential to revolutionize the scope and scale of data collection and analysis, improve scientific literacy, and democratize science. Yet, despite the attention online citizen science has attracted, it remains unclear how widespread public participation is, how it has changed over time, and how it is geographically distributed. Importantly, the demographic profile of citizen science participants remains uncertain, and thus to what extent their contributions are helping to democratize science. Here, we present the largest quantitative study of participation in citizen science based on online accounts of more than 14 million participants over two decades. We find that the trend of broad rapid growth in online citizen science participation observed in the early 2000s has since diverged by mode of participation, with consistent growth observed in nature sensing, but a decline seen in crowdsourcing and distributed computing. Most citizen science projects, except for nature sensing, are heavily dominated by men, and the vast majority of participants, male and female, have a background in science. The analysis we present here provides, for the first time, a robust 'baseline' to describe global trends in online citizen science participation. These results highlight current challenges and the future potential of citizen science. Beyond presenting our analysis of the collated data, our work identifies multiple metrics for robust examination of public participation in science and, more generally, online crowds. It also points to the limits of quantitative studies in capturing the personal, societal, and historical significance of citizen science.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elise Tancoigne
- Institute of Geography and Sustainability, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jérôme Baudry
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Steven Piguet
- Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - José Luis-Fernandez Marquez
- Citizen Cyberlab, Information Science Institute, Geneva School of Economics and Management, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jérôme Kasparian
- Group of Applied Physics and Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - François Grey
- Citizen Cyberlab, Information Science Institute, Geneva School of Economics and Management, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David Anderson
- Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, United States of America
| | - Chris Lintott
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Ellis-Soto D, Chapman M, Locke DH. Historical redlining is associated with increasing geographical disparities in bird biodiversity sampling in the United States. Nat Hum Behav 2023; 7:1869-1877. [PMID: 37679441 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01688-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Historic segregation and inequality are critical to understanding modern environmental conditions. Race-based zoning policies, such as redlining in the United States during the 1930s, are associated with racial inequity and adverse multigenerational socioeconomic levels in income and education, and disparate environmental characteristics including tree canopy cover across urban neighbourhoods. Here we quantify the association between redlining and bird biodiversity sampling density and completeness-two critical metrics of biodiversity knowledge-across 195 cities in the United States. We show that historically redlined neighbourhoods remain the most undersampled urban areas for bird biodiversity today, potentially impacting conservation priorities and propagating urban environmental inequities. The disparity in sampling across redlined neighbourhood grades increased by 35.6% over the past 20 years. We identify specific urban areas in need of increased bird biodiversity sampling and discuss possible strategies for reducing uncertainty and increasing equity of sampling of biodiversity in urban areas. Our findings highlight how human behaviour and past social, economic and political conditions not just segregate our built environment but may also leave a lasting mark on the digital information we have about urban biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Ellis-Soto
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Melissa Chapman
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Dexter H Locke
- Baltimore Field Station, Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Jaeger J, Masselot C, Greshake Tzovaras B, Senabre Hidalgo E, Haklay M(M, Santolini M. An epistemology for democratic citizen science. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:231100. [PMID: 38026019 PMCID: PMC10646465 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
More than ever, humanity relies on robust scientific knowledge of the world and our place within it. Unfortunately, our contemporary view of science is still suffused with outdated ideas about scientific knowledge production based on a naive kind of realism. These ideas persist among members of the public and scientists alike. They contribute to an ultra-competitive system of academic research, which sacrifices long-term productivity through an excessive obsession with short-term efficiency. Efforts to diversify this system come from a movement called democratic citizen science, which can serve as a model for scientific inquiry in general. Democratic citizen science requires an alternative theory of knowledge with a focus on the role that diversity plays in the process of discovery. Here, we present such an epistemology, based on three central philosophical pillars: perspectival realism, a naturalistic process-based epistemology, and deliberative social practices. They broaden our focus from immediate research outcomes towards cognitive and social processes which facilitate sustainable long-term productivity and scientific innovation. This marks a shift from an industrial to an ecological vision of how scientific research should be done, and how it should be assessed. At the core of this vision are research communities that are diverse, representative, and democratic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Jaeger
- Complexity Science Hub (CSH) Vienna, Josefstädter Straße 39, 1080 Vienna, Austria
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, 75004 Paris, France
- Learning Planet Institute, 8 bis Rue Charles V, 75004 Paris, France
- Institut d’Études Avancées de Paris, 17 quai d'Anjou, 75004 Paris, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, 3 rue Joliot Curie, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Camille Masselot
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, 75004 Paris, France
- Learning Planet Institute, 8 bis Rue Charles V, 75004 Paris, France
| | - Bastian Greshake Tzovaras
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, 75004 Paris, France
- Learning Planet Institute, 8 bis Rue Charles V, 75004 Paris, France
| | - Enric Senabre Hidalgo
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, 75004 Paris, France
- Learning Planet Institute, 8 bis Rue Charles V, 75004 Paris, France
- Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Marc Santolini
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, 75004 Paris, France
- Learning Planet Institute, 8 bis Rue Charles V, 75004 Paris, France
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Fraisl D, See L, Estevez D, Tomaska N, MacFeely S. Citizen science for monitoring the health and well-being related Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Organization's Triple Billion Targets. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1202188. [PMID: 37637808 PMCID: PMC10450341 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1202188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Achieving the health and well-being related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the World Health Organization's (WHO) Triple Billion Targets depends on informed decisions that are based on concerted data collection and monitoring efforts. Even though data availability has been increasing in recent years, significant gaps still remain for routine surveillance to guide policies and actions. The COVID-19 crisis has shown that more and better data and strengthened health information systems are needed to inform timely decisions that save lives. Traditional sources of data such as nationally representative surveys are not adequate for addressing this challenge alone. Additionally, the funding required to measure all health and well-being related SDG indicators and Triple Billion Targets using only traditional sources of data is a challenge to achieving efficient, timely and reliable monitoring systems. Citizen science, public participation in scientific research and knowledge production, can contribute to addressing some of these data gaps efficiently and sustainably when designed well, and ultimately, could contribute to the achievement of the health and well-being related SDGs and Triple Billion Targets. Through a systematic review of health and well-being related indicators, as well as citizen science initiatives, this paper aims to explore the potential of citizen science for monitoring health and well-being and for mobilizing action toward the achievement of health and well-being related targets as outlined in the SDG framework and Triple Billion Targets. The results demonstrate that out of 58 health and well-being related indicators of the SDGs and Triple Billion Targets covered in this study, citizen science could potentially contribute to monitoring 48 of these indicators and their targets, mostly at a local and community level, which can then be upscaled at a national level with the projection to reach global level monitoring and implementation. To integrate citizen science with official health and well-being statistics, the main recommendation is to build trusted partnerships with key stakeholders including National Statistical Offices, governments, academia and the custodian agencies, which is mostly the WHO for these health and well-being related targets and indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilek Fraisl
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Linda See
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
| | | | | | - Steve MacFeely
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Palawat K, Root RA, Cortez LI, Foley T, Carella V, Beck C, Ramírez-Andreotta MD. Patterns of contamination and burden of lead and arsenic in rooftop harvested rainwater collected in Arizona environmental justice communities. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 337:117747. [PMID: 37019054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117747] [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: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
As climate change exacerbates water scarcity, rainwater harvesting for household irrigation and gardening becomes an increasingly common practice. However, the use and quality of harvested rainwater are not well studied, and the potential pollutant exposures associated with its use are generally unknown. There are currently no federal standards in the United States to assess metal(loid)s in harvested rainwater. Project Harvest, a community science research project, was created to address this knowledge gap and study the quality of harvested rainwater, primarily used for irrigation, in four environmental justice communities in Arizona, USA. Community scientists collected 577 unique rooftop harvested rainwater samples from 2017 to 2020, which were analyzed for metal(loid)s, where arsenic (As) concentrations ranged from 0.108 to 120 μg L-1 and lead (Pb) concentrations ranged from 0.013 to 350 μg L-1 and compared to relevant federal/state standards/recommendations. Community As and Pb concentrations decreased as: Hayden/Winkelman > Tucson > Globe/Miami > Dewey-Humboldt. Linear mixed models were used to analyze rooftop harvested rainwater data and results indicated that concentrations of As and Pb in the summer monsoon were significantly greater than winter; and contamination was significantly greater closer to extractive industrial sites in three of the four study communities (ASARCO Hayden Plant Superfund Alternative site in Hayden/Winkelman, Davis-Monthan United States Air Force Base in Tucson - Pb only, and Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Mine in Globe/Miami). Based on models, infrastructure such as proximity to roadway, roof material, presence of a cistern screen, and first-flush systems were not significant with respect to As and Pb when controlling for relevant spatiotemporal variables; whereas, cistern age was associated with Pb concentrations. These results however, indicate that concentrations vary seasonally and by proximity to industrial activity, not by decisions made regarding collection system infrastructures at the individual home level. This study shows that generally, individuals are not responsible for environmental contamination of rooftop harvested rainwater, rather activities and decisions of government and corporate industries control contaminant release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal Palawat
- Department of Environmental Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Robert A Root
- Department of Environmental Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - Theresa Foley
- Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Inc., Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Victoria Carella
- Resident of Globe, AZ, USA; Mother Eagle Shamanic Center, Globe, AZ, USA
| | - Charles Beck
- Resident of Globe, AZ, USA; Space Mission Earth, Globe, AZ, USA
| | - Mónica D Ramírez-Andreotta
- Department of Environmental Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA; Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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11
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Vasantha Raman N, Dubey A, Millar E, Nava V, Leoni B, Gallego I. Monitoring contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic systems through the lens of citizen science. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162527. [PMID: 36870506 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162527] [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: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Global urbanization trends have led to the widespread increasing occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, and micro- and nano-plastics in aquatic systems. Even at low concentrations, these contaminants pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems. To better understand the effects of CECs on aquatic ecosystems, it is important to measure concentrations of these contaminants present in these systems. Currently, there is an imbalance in CEC monitoring, with more attention to some categories of CECs, and a lack of data about environmental concentrations of other types of CECs. Citizen science is a potential tool for improving CEC monitoring and to establish their environmental concentrations. However, incorporating citizen participation in the monitoring of CECs poses some challenges and questions. In this literature review, we explore the landscape of citizen science and community science projects which monitor different groups of CECs in freshwater and marine ecosystems. We also identify the benefits and drawbacks of using citizen science to monitor CECs to provide recommendations for sampling and analytical methods. Our results highlight an existing disparity in frequency of monitoring different groups of CECs with implementing citizen science. Specifically, volunteer participation in microplastic monitoring programs is higher than volunteer participation in pharmaceutical, pesticide, and personal care product programs. These differences, however, do not necessarily imply that fewer sampling and analytical methods are available. Finally, our proposed roadmap provides guidance on which methods can be used to improve monitoring of all groups of CECs through citizen science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Vasantha Raman
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Asmita Dubey
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Edward Millar
- Environmental Applied Science and Management, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Veronica Nava
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Barbara Leoni
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Irene Gallego
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG), Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
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12
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Marks L, Smith BJ, Mitchell J, Laird Y, Rowbotham S. The case for citizen science in public health policy and practice: a mixed methods study of policymaker and practitioner perspectives and experiences. Health Res Policy Syst 2023; 21:31. [PMID: 37127620 PMCID: PMC10152701 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-023-00978-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Citizen science (CS) is increasingly being utilised to involve the public in public health research, but little is known about whether and how CS can address the needs of policy and practice stakeholders in health promotion and chronic disease prevention. METHODS Using a mixed methods approach we conducted an online survey (n = 83) and semi-structured interviews (n = 21) with policy and practice stakeholders across Australia to explore how CS approaches are perceived and applied in chronic disease prevention, how CS aligns with existing approaches to community engagement, and how the uptake of CS can be supported within policy and practice settings. RESULTS Most participants had heard of CS, and while few had experience of using CS, there was widespread support for this approach, with many seeing it as complementary to other community engagement approaches. CS was seen as providing: (a) a robust framework for engagement; (b) access to rich data; (c) opportunities for more meaningful engagement; and (d) a mutually beneficial approach for stakeholders and community members. However, stakeholders identified a need to weigh benefits against potential risks and challenges including competing organisational priorities, resourcing and expertise, data quality and rigour, governance, and engagement. CONCLUSIONS To expand the use of CS, stakeholders identified the need for increased awareness, acceptance, and capacity for CS within public health organisations, greater access to supporting tools and technology, and evidence on processes, feasibility and impacts to enhance the visibility and legitimacy of CS approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Marks
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Ben J Smith
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jo Mitchell
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yvonne Laird
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Samantha Rowbotham
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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13
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Shakya A, Dodson M, Artiola JF, Ramirez-Andreotta M, Root RA, Ding X, Chorover J, Maier RM. Arsenic in Drinking Water and Diabetes. WATER 2023; 15:1751. [PMID: 37886432 PMCID: PMC10601382 DOI: 10.3390/w15091751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic is ubiquitous in soil and water environments and is consistently at the top of the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR) substance priority list. It has been shown to induce toxicity even at low levels of exposure. One of the major routes of exposure to arsenic is through drinking water. This review presents current information related to the distribution of arsenic in the environment, the resultant impacts on human health, especially related to diabetes, which is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, regulation of arsenic in drinking water, and approaches for treatment of arsenic in drinking water for both public utilities and private wells. Taken together, this information points out the existing challenges to understanding both the complex health impacts of arsenic and to implementing the treatment strategies needed to effectively reduce arsenic exposure at different scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryatara Shakya
- Department Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Matthew Dodson
- Department Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Janick F. Artiola
- Department Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | | | - Robert A. Root
- Department Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Xinxin Ding
- Department Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Jon Chorover
- Department Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Raina M. Maier
- Department Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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14
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Ellwood ER, Pauly GB, Ahn J, Golembiewski K, Higgins LM, Ordeñana MA, von Konrat M. Citizen science needs a name change. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:485-489. [PMID: 37088666 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Amidst attention towards improving equality, inclusivity, and diversity, citizen science is woefully anachronistic in its name. There is a critical need for this field to distance itself from the exclusionary nature of the term 'citizen'. We provide reasoning for abandoning this term and an outline for adopting a new name.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R Ellwood
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, USA; iDigBio, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Gregory B Pauly
- Urban Nature Research Center and Department of Herpetology, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - June Ahn
- Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kate Golembiewski
- Communications Department, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lila M Higgins
- Urban Nature Research Center and Community Science Office, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Miguel A Ordeñana
- Urban Nature Research Center and Community Science Office, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Matt von Konrat
- Gantz Family Collections Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA
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15
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Havinga I, Marcos D, Bogaart P, Massimino D, Hein L, Tuia D. Social media and deep learning reveal specific cultural preferences for biodiversity. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
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16
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Cheng SJ, Gaynor KM, Moore AC, Darragh K, Estien CO, Hammond JW, Lawrence C, Mills KL, Baiz MD, Ignace D, Khadempour L, McCary MA, Rice MM, Tumber-Dávila SJ, Smith JA. Championing inclusive terminology in ecology and evolution. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:381-384. [PMID: 36754709 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Amid a growing disciplinary commitment to inclusion in ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB), it is critical to consider how the use of scientific language can harm members of our research community. Here, we outline a path for identifying and revising harmful terminology to foster inclusion in EEB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J Cheng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Kaitlyn M Gaynor
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Alex C Moore
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Forestry & Conservation Science, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada.
| | - Kathy Darragh
- Department of Evolution & Ecology, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Cesar O Estien
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California - Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - J W Hammond
- Humanities Department, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Christopher Lawrence
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Kirby L Mills
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Marcella D Baiz
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Danielle Ignace
- Department of Forestry & Conservation Science, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
| | - Lily Khadempour
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | | | - Mallory M Rice
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, USA
| | | | - Justine A Smith
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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17
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Massey LM, Penna S, Zahn E, Lawson D, Davis CM. Monitoring Green Sea Turtles in the San Gabriel River of Southern California. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030434. [PMID: 36766322 PMCID: PMC9913770 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030434] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Effective conservation of endangered species relies on the characterization of habitat use and tracking of long-term population trends, which can be especially challenging for marine species that migrate long distances and utilize a diversity of habitats throughout their lives. Since 2012, citizen science volunteers at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, have been monitoring an urban population of East Pacific green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) that resides near the mouth of the San Gabriel River (SGR) in Southern California, USA, in order to gain insights about how the population uses this area. Here, we collate and analyze nine years of citizen science data, including observed sightings collected across 10 observation stations. Our results confirm that green sea turtles are frequently present around warm water effluent from power plants, similar to research results reported for other locations in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Importantly, observational data also show notable green sea turtle activity around the outfalls for a small wetland habitat bordering the SGR, highlighting the importance of wetland ecosystems as a key habitat and foraging area for this threatened population. Finally, our results showcase the benefits of using citizen science to monitor sea turtle populations in easily accessible nearshore habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn M. Massey
- West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Shannon Penna
- West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA
| | - Eric Zahn
- Tidal Influence, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA
| | - Dan Lawson
- West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA
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18
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Prestby TJ, Robinson AC, McLaughlin D, Dudas PM, Grozinger CM. Characterizing user needs for Beescape: A spatial decision support tool focused on pollinator health. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 325:116416. [PMID: 36244287 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116416] [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: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Interactive maps can serve as powerful environmental decision-support tools. However, designing an interactive map that meets the needs of diverse constituencies is a challenge. In this article, we evaluate and characterize user needs for an interactive map and spatial decision-support tool called Beescape. Beescape is designed to visualize resources and environmental risks to bees and other pollinators (such as availability of nutritional resources from flowering plants and exposure to pesticides) in order to help users make informed decisions about managing bee populations and associated landscapes. We conducted a needs assessment workshop with twenty stakeholders from four user groups including beekeepers, growers, conservationists, and pollinator scientists to elicit their knowledge to guide future Beescape development. The results of the workshop identify current analytical gaps with the existing Beescape prototype, including the need for predictive and historical tools, more actionable data layers, finer-grain spatial data, and better explanations on what data represent and how they were created. Our findings on user's analytical, informational, and interface needs can be utilized to guide the future development of spatial decision support tools like Beescape, and our methodological approach may apply to other environmental informatics tools where it is important to design for multiple constituent user groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Prestby
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Geography, Walker Building, 302 N Burrowes Street, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Anthony C Robinson
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Geography, Walker Building, 302 N Burrowes Street, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Dave McLaughlin
- The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Immersive Experiences, 401 Old Main, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Patrick M Dudas
- The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Immersive Experiences, 401 Old Main, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Christina M Grozinger
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Entomology, 501 ASI Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
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19
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Ortiz JL, Torres Conkey AA, Brennan LA, Fedynich L, Green M. Wildlife Undergrads Spread Their Wings in Citizen Science Research Experience. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16983. [PMID: 36554863 PMCID: PMC9779484 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Citizen science has become a valuable tool for natural resource professionals; however, many undergraduate students are not aware of its use as a means of collecting data for scientific analysis. To address this, we introduced a bird-focused research experience into an undergraduate Wildlife Management Techniques course. The objective of this course is to provide practical experiences in wildlife science by learning and using tools and techniques applied in the field. Students designed, implemented, and presented the results of a wild bird observation survey that contributed data to an existing e-Bird-based program. Pre-post surveys were collected to assess student learning and behavioral changes. We observed increased student awareness of citizen science. Ninety-two percent of students correctly defined citizen science following the experience. However, only sixteen percent of students stated they would continue participation in STWB, fifty percent were unsure, and thirty-four percent would not continue involvement. Improvements are discussed to promote participation in citizen science, connections with the community, and communication skill development for future employment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janel L. Ortiz
- Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, Pomona, CA 91768, USA
| | - April A. Torres Conkey
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Leonard A. Brennan
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - LaVonne Fedynich
- Educational Leadership and Counseling, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Marybeth Green
- Educational Leadership and Counseling, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
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20
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Citizen Science in Europe—Challenges in Conducting Citizen Science Activities in Cooperation of University and Public Libraries. PUBLICATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/publications10040052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Citizen science has many definitions but it is commonly known as collaboration between professional scientists and the rest of society. Although there have been cases of its implementation in the past, the term became globally known in 2012. Citizen science activities cover a wide range of academic disciplines and vary widely in what is required of the activity participants in terms of knowledge, time commitment, travel, and the use of technology). For the past ten years, libraries have often introduced citizen science in order to encourage greater interaction between science and society as a form of their services or specially organized activities. The types of libraries that often conduct citizen science are academic, public, and research libraries. Each of these library types has a specific user population; academic libraries have students and scientific and teaching staff; public libraries have the local community; and research libraries have researchers. However, libraries usually carry out CS activities separately, and very rarely in cooperation with other types of libraries. Some collaboration challenges are related to its complexity, the uncertainty regarding research cocreation, and participant retention strategies. Such cooperation is one of the aspects explored by the LIBER project CeOS_SE Project—Citizen-Enhanced Open Science in Southeastern Europe Higher Education Knowledge Hubs. The main goal of the project is to raise awareness of mainstream Open Science and CS practices in Southeastern (SE) Europe. As a project partner, the National and University Library in Zagreb, in cooperation with the University Library of Southern Denmark, conducted a survey that included other European countries in addition to SE Europe to examine and collect good practices of civil engagement in university libraries.
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21
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Spatharioti SE, Boetsch E, Eustis S, Gandhi K, Rota M, Apte A, Cooper S, Wylie S. An effective online platform for crowd classification of coastal wetland loss. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eliza Boetsch
- Environmental Studies Northeastern University Boston MA USA
| | | | - Kutub Gandhi
- Khoury College of Computer Sciences Northeastern University Boston MA USA
| | - Matt Rota
- Healthy Gulf New Orleans Louisiana USA
| | - Archana Apte
- Environmental Studies Northeastern University Boston MA USA
| | - Seth Cooper
- Khoury College of Computer Sciences Northeastern University Boston MA USA
| | - Sara Wylie
- Sociology & Anthropology Health Sciences Northeastern University Boston MA USA
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22
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Miller-Rushing AJ, Ellwood ER, Crimmins TM, Gallinat AS, Phillips M, Sandler RL, Primack RB. Conservation ethics in the time of the pandemic: Does increasing remote access advance social justice? BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 2022; 276:109788. [PMID: 36408461 PMCID: PMC9643013 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is stimulating improvements in remote access and use of technology in conservation-related programs and research. In many cases, organizations have intended for remote engagement to benefit groups that have been marginalized in the sciences. But are they? It is important to consider how remote access affects social justice in conservation biology-i.e., the principle that all people should be equally respected and valued in conservation organizations, programs, projects, and practices. To support such consideration, we describe a typology of justice-oriented principles that can be used to examine social justice in a range of conservation activities. We apply this typology to three conservation areas: (1) remote access to US national park educational programs and data; (2) digitization of natural history specimens and their use in conservation research; and (3) remote engagement in conservation-oriented citizen science. We then address the questions: Which justice-oriented principles are salient in which conservation contexts or activities? How can those principles be best realized in those contexts or activities? In each of the three areas we examined, remote access increased participation, but access and benefits were not equally distributed and unanticipated consequences have not been adequately addressed. We identify steps that can and are being taken to advance social justice in conservation, such as assessing programs to determine if they are achieving their stated social justice-oriented aims and revising initiatives as needed. The framework that we present could be used to assess the social justice dimensions of many conservation programs, institutions, practices, and policies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth R Ellwood
- iDigBio, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Theresa M Crimmins
- USA National Phenology Network, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Amanda S Gallinat
- Department of Geography, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Molly Phillips
- iDigBio, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ronald L Sandler
- Department of Philosophy and Religion, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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23
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Finch J, Jasny M, Kucera KF, Kiefer G. Surveying the scope, success, and challenges of plant conservation community science. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.933292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
First emerging at the end of the 20th century, community science (a.k.a. citizen science), utilizing volunteers and volunteer-contributed data, has become a major component of biological conservation worldwide. Interacting factors including limited funding, technology availability, and public interest present a unique opportunity for conservation scientists and practitioners to benefit from larger datasets with broader spatial and temporal reach than possible from professional researchers alone. In tandem with benefits to science, volunteers gain hands-on research experience, scientific knowledge, outdoor opportunities, and community. However, this approach is far from universally adopted, as some researchers question the accuracy and value of community science data and entrusting volunteers with sensitive data, such as rare plant locations. We assessed community science projects that conduct rare plant monitoring to examine the value of community science in plant conservation. We identified projects through research and targeted outreach. Through digital surveys of project managers and volunteers, we collected qualitative and quantitative data addressing the efficacy of projects in regard to a number of predictor variables (e.g., staffing, funding, program size, data management, volunteer training, and demographics) and metrics of success (e.g., number of volunteers engaged, monitoring assignments, and publications). We reported the qualities of successful plant conservation community science projects to encourage the establishment of new projects, the improvement of existing ones, and the maximum application of volunteer-contributed rare plant monitoring datasets. We propose the establishment of a community science rare plant monitoring network to facilitate sharing ideas, strategies, and tools for project success.
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24
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Evaluating the use of semi-structured crowdsourced data to quantify inequitable access to urban biodiversity: A case study with eBird. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277223. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Credibly estimating social-ecological relationships requires data with broad coverage and fine geographic resolutions that are not typically available from standard ecological surveys. Open and unstructured data from crowdsourced platforms offer an opportunity for collecting large quantities of user-submitted ecological data. However, the representativeness of the areas sampled by these data portals is not well known. We investigate how data availability in eBird, one of the largest and most popular crowdsourced science platforms, correlates with race and income of census tracts in two cities: Boston, MA and Phoenix, AZ. We find that checklist submissions vary greatly across census tracts, with similar patterns within both metropolitan regions. In particular, census tracts with high income and high proportions of white residents are most likely to be represented in the data in both cities, which indicates selection bias in eBird coverage. Our results illustrate the non-representativeness of eBird data, and they also raise deeper questions about the validity of statistical inferences regarding disparities that can be drawn from such datasets. We discuss these challenges and illustrate how sample selection problems in unstructured or semi-structured crowdsourced data can lead to spurious conclusions regarding the relationships between race, income, and access to urban bird biodiversity. While crowdsourced data are indispensable and complementary to more traditional approaches for collecting ecological data, we conclude that unstructured or semi-structured data may not be well-suited for all lines of inquiry, particularly those requiring consistent data coverage, and should thus be handled with appropriate care.
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25
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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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Vance-Chalcraft HD, Jelks NO. Community-engaged learning to broaden the impact of applied ecology: A case study. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022:e2768. [PMID: 36271610 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ecological changes are creating disruptions that often disproportionately impact communities of color and economically disadvantaged areas. Scientists who study the consequences experienced by these communities are uniquely suited to bring the public into their work as a way of setting conditions that enable impacted residents to empower themselves to advance environmental and community change. In addition to involving community stakeholders in the process of science, community science can be used to motivate learning and increase engagement of students. Here we highlight a case study of one way a historically Black college involved local communities and students in water quality monitoring efforts to examine the role of the environment in human health. Students in an introductory-level environmental toxicology course collaborated with community members to track pollution and monitor conditions in an urban, impaired stream. Students participated in bi-monthly water quality monitoring alongside community watershed researchers and an annual day-long multisite sampling event with community residents and organizations. Through this engagement, students and community members contributed to the collection of data, learned about the significance of their results, and translated findings into strategies to advance watershed restoration, health, quality of life, and environmental justice goals.
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Andrews L, Mocorro Powell AD, Rottle N, Engelke J. Advancing equity and justice through community science programming in design, construction, and research of a nature-based solution: the Duwamish Floating Wetlands Project. SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL PRACTICE RESEARCH 2022; 4:377-391. [PMID: 36281354 PMCID: PMC9581766 DOI: 10.1007/s42532-022-00123-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Dxwdəw refers to the Black-Green Rivers confluences that made the Duwamish River in Seattle, Washington, USA, prior to the 1910s. Significant industrial activity and human-made diversions to these rivers caused heavy pollution and eliminated 97% of historic wetlands, forever altering the historic river systems, salmon runs and human and aquatic health. Today the Green-Duwamish River and Duwamish Estuary are an industrial and commercial corridor, albeit also a site of cultural significance and fishing rights for urban Indigenous and Coast Salish tribes, and home and workplace to diverse urban populations of sustenance fishers, immigrants and refugees, communities of color, and low-income neighborhoods. Using a socio-ecological and environmental justice perspective within a nature-based solution, the Duwamish Floating Wetlands Project designed and piloted four constructed floating wetland structures for two years on the Duwamish River and researched their feasibility to provide habitat for out-migrating juvenile salmon. A multi-pronged community team (community leaders, liaisons, stewards and scientists) worked alongside academics and professionals. This paper showcases the formulation and adaptation of a two-year citizen/community science program integrated into the project. We outline the frameworks, approach, outcomes, and lessons-learned of the community science and outreach program, and compiled these in a list of guidelines to provide practitioner, researcher and community insight into the value and necessity of prioritizing environmental justice, racial equity, and ecosystem needs in nature-based solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leann Andrews
- Department of Landscape Architecture, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA USA
- Green Futures Research and Design Lab, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | | | - Nancy Rottle
- Green Futures Research and Design Lab, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
- Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
- Green Futures Research and Design Lab, College of Built Environments, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Jennifer Engelke
- Green Futures Research and Design Lab, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
- Green Futures Research and Design Lab, College of Built Environments, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
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Erickson E, Grozinger CM, Patch HM. Measuring Plant Attractiveness to Pollinators: Methods and Considerations. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 115:1571-1582. [PMID: 35640204 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac066] [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: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Global pollinator declines have fostered increased public interest in creating pollinator-friendly gardens in human-managed landscapes. Indeed, studies on urban pollinator communities suggest that flower-rich greenspaces can serve as promising sites for conservation. Ornamental flowers, which are readily available at most commercial garden centers, are ubiquitous in these landscapes. These varieties are often non-native and highly bred, and their utility to pollinators is complex. In this study, we used observational data and citizen science to develop a methods framework that will assist stakeholders in the floriculture industry to incorporate metrics of pollinator health into existing breeding and evaluation protocols. The results of this study support how plant attractiveness to pollinators is often dependent on variables such as climate and plant phenology, which should be considered when developing an assessment tool. Furthermore, we found that some cultivars were consistently attractive across all observations while for other cultivars, pollinator visitation was apparently conditional. We determine using multiple statistical tests that 10 min is a sufficient length of time for observation of most plant types to broadly estimate three measures of plant attractiveness: visitor abundance, primary visitors attracted, and cultivar rank attractiveness, without sacrificing efficiency or accuracy. Additionally, we demonstrate that properly trained non-expert observers can collect accurate observational data, and our results suggest that protocols may be designed to maximize consistency across diverse data collectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Erickson
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, 200 Boston Ave, 4700 Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - C M Grozinger
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Building University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - H M Patch
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Building University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Pickett STA, Cadenasso ML, Rademacher AM. Toward pluralizing ecology: Finding common ground across sociocultural and scientific perspectives. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - M. L. Cadenasso
- Department of Plant Sciences University of California Davis Davis California USA
| | - A. M. Rademacher
- Department of Environmental Studies New York University New York New York USA
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30
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Allf BC, Cooper CB, Larson LR, Dunn RR, Futch SE, Sharova M, Cavalier D. Citizen Science as an Ecosystem of Engagement: Implications for Learning and Broadening Participation. Bioscience 2022; 72:651-663. [PMID: 35769502 PMCID: PMC9236874 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biac035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The bulk of research on citizen science participants is project centric, based on an assumption that volunteers experience a single project. Contrary to this assumption, survey responses (n = 3894) and digital trace data (n = 3649) from volunteers, who collectively engaged in 1126 unique projects, revealed that multiproject participation was the norm. Only 23% of volunteers were singletons (who participated in only one project). The remaining multiproject participants were split evenly between discipline specialists (39%) and discipline spanners (38% joined projects with different disciplinary topics) and unevenly between mode specialists (52%) and mode spanners (25% participated in online and offline projects). Public engagement was narrow: The multiproject participants were eight times more likely to be White and five times more likely to hold advanced degrees than the general population. We propose a volunteer-centric framework that explores how the dynamic accumulation of experiences in a project ecosystem can support broad learning objectives and inclusive citizen science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley C Allf
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
| | - Caren B Cooper
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
| | - Lincoln R Larson
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
| | - Robert R Dunn
- Department of Applied Ecology, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
| | | | - Maria Sharova
- Thriving Earth Exchange, an initiative of the American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC
| | - Darlene Cavalier
- Arizona State University and the founder of SciStarter, Tempe, Arizona
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31
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Mullenbach LE, Breyer B, Cutts BB, Rivers L, Larson LR. An antiracist, anticolonial agenda for urban greening and conservation. Conserv Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E. Mullenbach
- Department of Geography & Environmental Sustainability University of Oklahoma Norman Oklahoma USA
| | - Betsy Breyer
- Department of Geography Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
| | - Bethany B. Cutts
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
- Center for Geospatial Analytics North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
| | - Louie Rivers
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
| | - Lincoln R. Larson
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
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32
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Webb C, Clancy J, Doggett SL, McAlister E, Williams C, Fricker S, van den Hurk A, Lessard B, Lenagan J, Walter M. First record of the mosquito Aedes ( Downsiomyia) shehzadae (Diptera: Culicidae) in Australia: A unique discovery aided by citizen science. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2022; 47:133-137. [PMID: 36629366 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-47.1.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Webb
- The University of Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases and Charles Perkins Centre Citizen Science Node, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia,
- Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - John Clancy
- Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Stephen L Doggett
- Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Erica McAlister
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Craig Williams
- Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Stephen Fricker
- Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Andrew van den Hurk
- Public Health Virology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, Queensland Government, Archerfield, Queensland 4108, Australia
| | - Bryan Lessard
- Australian National Insect Collection, National Research Collections Australia-CSIRO, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | | | - Marlene Walter
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- The Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
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Braz Sousa L, Fricker S, Webb CE, Baldock KL, Williams CR. Citizen Science Mosquito Surveillance by Ad Hoc Observation Using the iNaturalist Platform. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19106337. [PMID: 35627874 PMCID: PMC9140400 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Citizen science mosquito surveillance has been growing in recent years due to both increasing concern about mosquito-borne disease and the increasing popularity of citizen science projects globally. Health authorities are recognising the potential importance of citizen science to expanding or enhancing traditional surveillance programs. Different programs have shown success in engaging communities to monitor species of medical importance through low-cost methods. The Mozzie Monitors project was established on iNaturalist—an open citizen science platform that allows participants to upload photos (i.e., observers) and assist identification (i.e., identifiers). This article describes the likelihood of citizen scientists submitting photos of mosquitoes, assesses user submission behaviour, and evaluates public health utility from these citizen science-derived data. From October 2018 to July 2021, the Mozzie Monitors project on iNaturalist received 2118 observations of 57 different species of mosquitoes across Australia. The number of observers in the system increased over time with more than 500 observers and 180 identifiers being active in the project since its establishment. Data showed species bias with large-bodied and colourful mosquitoes being over-represented. Analyses also indicate regional differentiation of mosquito fauna per state, seasonality of activity, and ecological information about mosquitoes. The iNaturalist citizen science platform also allows connectedness, facilitated communication and collaboration between overall users and expert entomologists, of value to medical entomology and mosquito management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Braz Sousa
- UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (L.B.S.); (S.F.)
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia;
| | - Stephen Fricker
- UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (L.B.S.); (S.F.)
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia;
| | - Cameron E. Webb
- Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Katherine L. Baldock
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia;
- UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Craig R. Williams
- UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (L.B.S.); (S.F.)
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia;
- Correspondence:
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Fernández-Viña N, Chen Y, Schwarz K. The Current State of Community Engagement in Urban Soil Pollution Science. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.800464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental burdens disproportionately impact the health of communities of color and low-income communities. Contemporary and legacy industry and land development may pollute soils with pesticides, petroleum products, and trace metals that can directly and indirectly impact the health of frontline communities. Past efforts to study environmental injustice have often excluded those most impacted, created distrust of researchers and other experts among frontline communities, and resulted in little to no structural change. Prevailing research methods value formal knowledge systems, while often dismissing the knowledge of those most harmed by environmental hazards. Community science has emerged as a process of doing science that centers the participation of community members, who may co-develop research questions, inform study methods, collect data, interpret findings, or implement projects. While community science is one of several research methods that can advance community goals, it can also be implemented in ways that are extractive or harm communities. Research on best practices for community science is robust; however, how community science has been used in urban soil research is not well understood. We identified sixteen relevant urban soil studies published between 2008 and 2021 that used community science methods or engaged with community members around soil pollution. We then assessed the selected studies using two community engagement models to better understand community engagement practices in urban soil pollution science. The Spectrum of Community Engagement to Ownership (SCEO) model, which organizes engagement from level 0 (ignore) to 5 (defer to) was used to assess all studies. Studies that explicitly aimed to co-develop research with the community were additionally assessed using the Urban Sustainability Directors Network High Impact Practices (USDN HIPs). The majority of the studies assessed were aligned with levels 1–3 of the SCEO. Studies assessed as levels 4–5 of the SCEO were associated with delegating power to communities, community engages decision-making, creating space for community voices, and remediation efforts. We propose that future urban remediation soil pollution work that engages at higher levels of the SCEO and employs USDN HIPs, will be more effective at addressing crucial environmental health challenges by supporting, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.
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Cheung SY, Leung YF, Larson LR. Citizen science as a tool for enhancing recreation research in protected areas: Applications and opportunities. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 305:114353. [PMID: 34953221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As the popularity of nature-based recreation and tourism grows, protected area (PA) managers around the world are faced with escalating monitoring and management challenges across spatial and temporal scales. Citizen science, an emerging research approach which involves active public participation and collaboration with scientists in the scientific process, is an innovative tool that could help managers address these challenges. This study applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review Recommendations (PRISMA) protocol to review published studies that utilized citizen science methods in recreation research, examining the extent and nature of such applications and identifying future opportunities. We identified 20 peer-reviewed journal articles from the Web of Science, most of which were published since 2015. These studies utilized different citizen science approaches to examine recreation patterns, behaviors, and impacts in terrestrial and marine PAs. We found that citizen science was used most often in marine PAs, with specialized recreationists (e.g., SCUBA divers) as the most frequent contributors. The types of volunteers recruited differed by their sources (i.e., general public, recreation specialists, and organizational affiliates) and roles (i.e., volunteers as agents of data collection and volunteers as research subjects), with innovative technology (e.g., participatory GIS) creating new engagement opportunities. Despite these benefits, the accuracy and reliability of citizen science data remain important considerations for managers. Our review demonstrates how citizen science can inform management and enhance public participation in PA stewardship activities, and it reveals the need for more research to explore applications of citizen science in different recreation contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suet Yi Cheung
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA.
| | - Yu-Fai Leung
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
| | - Lincoln R Larson
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
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EchidnaCSI: Engaging the public in research and conservation of the short-beaked echidna. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2108826119. [PMID: 35074871 PMCID: PMC8812570 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2108826119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The short-beaked echidna is an iconic Australian animal and the most-widespread native mammal, inhabiting diverse environments. The cryptic nature of echidnas has limited research into their ecology in most areas; however, from the well-researched and endangered Kangaroo Island echidna population, we understand that the threats include habitat loss, roads, and invasive species. To obtain more information about echidnas Australia-wide, we established the Echidna Conservation Science Initiative (EchidnaCSI) citizen science project. EchidnaCSI calls on members of the public to submit photographs of wild echidnas and learn to identify and collect echidna scats for molecular analysis. To facilitate participation, we developed a smartphone application as well as ongoing social and traditional media activities and community events. In 3 y, more than 9,000 members of the public have downloaded the EchidnaCSI app, collecting 400 scats and submitting over 8,000 sightings of echidnas from across Australia. A subset of submitted scat samples were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR, which validated the approach of using citizen science for scat collection and viability for molecular analysis. To assess the impact of the project through public participation, we surveyed our participants (n = 944) to understand their demographics and motivations for engagement. Survey results also revealed that EchidnaCSI served as a gateway into citizen science more generally for many participants. EchidnaCSI demonstrates the potential for using citizen science approaches to collect high-quality data and material from a cryptic species over a very large geographic area and the considerable engagement value of citizen science research.
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Vance-Chalcraft HD, Hurlbert AH, Styrsky JN, Gates TA, Bowser G, Hitchcock CB, Reyes MA, Cooper CB. Citizen Science in Postsecondary Education: Current Practices and Knowledge Gaps. Bioscience 2022; 72:276-288. [PMID: 35241973 PMCID: PMC8888125 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biab125] [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] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Citizen science involves the public in science to investigate research questions. Although citizen science facilitates learning in informal educational settings, little is known about its use or effects in postsecondary (college or university) settings. Using a literature review and a survey, we describe how and why citizen science is being used in postsecondary courses, as well as the impacts on student learning. We found that citizen science is used predominantly in biologically related fields, at diverse types of institutions, to improve student engagement and expose students to authentic research. Considerable anecdotal evidence supporting improved student learning from these experiences exists, but little empirical evidence exists to warrant any conclusion. Therefore, there is a need to rigorously assess the relationship between citizen science participation and postsecondary student learning. We highlight considerations for instructors planning to incorporate citizen science and for citizen science projects wanting to facilitate postsecondary use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather D Vance-Chalcraft
- East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States
- Undergraduate Student Experiences with Citizen Science Research Coordination Network
| | - Allen H Hurlbert
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- Undergraduate Student Experiences with Citizen Science Research Coordination Network
| | - Jennifer Nesbitt Styrsky
- University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Virginia, United States
- Undergraduate Student Experiences with Citizen Science Research Coordination Network
| | - Terry A Gates
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
- Undergraduate Student Experiences with Citizen Science Research Coordination Network
| | - Gillian Bowser
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
- Undergraduate Student Experiences with Citizen Science Research Coordination Network
| | - Colleen B Hitchcock
- Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
- Undergraduate Student Experiences with Citizen Science Research Coordination Network
| | - Michelle Anne Reyes
- East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States
- Undergraduate Student Experiences with Citizen Science Research Coordination Network
| | - Caren B Cooper
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
- Undergraduate Student Experiences with Citizen Science Research Coordination Network
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Examining the paradox of urban disease ecology by linking the perspectives of Urban One Health and Ecology with Cities. Urban Ecosyst 2022; 25:1735-1744. [PMID: 35855439 PMCID: PMC9283848 DOI: 10.1007/s11252-022-01260-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The ecology of zoonotic, including vector-borne, diseases in urban social-ecological systems is influenced by complex interactions among human and environmental factors. Several characteristics contribute to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases in urban places, such as high human population densities, favorable habitat for vectors, and humans' close proximity to animals and their pathogens. On the other hand, urban living can contribute to the improvement of public health through better access to health services and creation of ecological and technological infrastructure that reduces disease burdens. Therefore, urbanization creates a disease ecology paradox through the interplay of urban health penalties and advantages for individual and community outcomes. To address this contradiction, we advocate a holistic Urban One Health perspective for managing urban systems, especially their green spaces and animal populations, in ways that more effectively control the spread of zoonotic diseases. This view should be coupled with an Ecology with Cities approach which emphasizes actionable science needed for urban planning, management and policymaking; developing disease and vector surveillance programs using citizen and community science methods; and improving education and communication actions that help diverse stakeholders understand the complexities of urban disease ecology. Such measures will enable scholars from many disciplines to collaborate with professionals, government officials, and others to tackle challenges of the urban disease paradox and create more sustainable, health-promoting environments.
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A Bayesian Approach to Estimate the Spatial Distribution of Crowdsourced Radiation Measurements around Fukushima. ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/ijgi10120822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Citizen-led movements producing spatio-temporal big data are potential sources of useful information during hazards. Yet, the sampling of crowdsourced data is often opportunistic and the statistical variations in the datasets are not typically assessed. There is a scientific need to understand the characteristics and geostatistical variability of big spatial data from these diverse sources if they are to be used for decision making. Crowdsourced radiation measurements can be visualized as raw, often overlapping, points or processed for an aggregated comparison with traditional sources to confirm patterns of elevated radiation levels. However, crowdsourced data from citizen-led projects do not typically use a spatial sampling method so classical geostatistical techniques may not seamlessly be applied. Standard aggregation and interpolation methods were adapted to represent variance, sampling patterns, and the reliability of modeled trends. Finally, a Bayesian approach was used to model the spatial distribution of crowdsourced radiation measurements around Fukushima and quantify uncertainty introduced by the spatial data characteristics. Bayesian kriging of the crowdsourced data captures hotspots and the probabilistic approach could provide timely contextualized information that can improve situational awareness during hazards. This paper calls for the development of methods and metrics to clearly communicate spatial uncertainty by evaluating data characteristics, representing observational gaps and model error, and providing probabilistic outputs for decision making.
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Abstract
AbstractCitizen science offers a unique opportunity to connect urban-dwellers with the often hidden natural world upon their doorsteps and to contribute to authentic research that increases knowledge of urban ecology and biodiversity. With the majority of Australia’s population residing in large cities, this diverse potential pool of participants in science creates a significant opportunity to increase the spatial and temporal scale of research. Herein, we provide an overview of Australian urban citizen science projects based on an analysis of the projects listed in the Australian Citizen Science Association’s Citizen Science Project Finder. We draw out key features (such as those with research questions specific to cities such as reintroduction and persistence of species in urban environments) from urban citizen science projects that make them suitable for the urban environment and use these features to suggest recommendations for further expansion and development of this important subset of projects. We conclude that the number and diversity of urban citizen science projects is relatively low in Australia, and advocate for an increase in initiatives that can tap into a large pool of potential participants for the benefit of science and society.
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The Value of Citizen Participation in Technology Assessment, Responsible Research and Innovation, and Sustainable Development. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132111613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The participation of citizens in scientific research has a long tradition, and in some disciplines, especially medical research, it is even common practice. In Technology Assessment (TA), Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), and Sustainable Development (SD), the participation of citizens can be of considerable value. In this paper, we explore this value for three concepts, based on the researcher’s insights from three participatory research projects. The first project is the citizen science project TeQfor1, which was conducted with, for, and on the type 1 diabetes community, who do not feel adequately supported by the conventional health care system. In the second project, citizens with vision impairments participated in the technological development of an audio-tactile navigation tool in the TERRAIN project. The third project (Nachtlichter) dealt with light pollution. Based on the three projects presented, we show that citizen participation makes specific contributions to TA, RRI, and SD. We also investigate the specificity of citizen engagement and motivation by differentiating between existing and emerging involvement. In conclusion, we discuss the benefits that may be added by participatory approaches for the three concepts of TA, RRI, and SD.
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The Known Unknowns: What Citizen Science Projects in Germany Know about Their Volunteers—And What They Don’t Know. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132011553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The citizen science landscape in Germany offers an enormous range for participation. More than 170 projects currently present themselves on the national citizen science platform. In 2020, we conducted a survey among 140 projects (participation rate 56%), and they provided information on the organisational framework and characteristics (disciplines, initiators, funding, and project goals), as well as on the academic researchers and the volunteering citizen scientists involved. A surprising result was that the level of knowledge about the volunteers is very low overall. Many projects deliberately do not collect personal data (e.g., on socio-demographic variables, knowledge, and behaviour), partly for data-protection reasons and partly because they are unsure about how to collect it due to a lack of instruments and standards. We aim to illustrate the complexity of this issue and discuss various dilemmas arising between theoretical aspirations and the pragmatic and procedural realities in practice. We conclude with suggestions for developing project-specific strategies to increase diversity and inclusion. We argue that the task of conducting accompanying research on participant diversity cannot be borne by individual projects alone and consider the development and implementation of co-creative and qualitative approaches suitable for this purpose.
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de Lange O, Youngflesh C, Ibarra A, Perez R, Kaplan M. Broadening Participation: 21st Century Opportunities for Amateurs in Biology Research. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:2294-2305. [PMID: 34427632 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The modern field of biology has its roots in the curiosity and skill of amateur researchers and has never been purely the domain of professionals. Today, professionals and amateurs contribute to biology research, working both together and independently. Well-targeted and holistic investment in amateur biology research could bring a range of benefits that, in addition to positive societal benefits, may help to address the considerable challenges facing our planet in the 21st century. We highlight how recent advances in amateur biology have been facilitated by innovations in digital infrastructure as well as the development of community biology laboratories, launched over the last decade, and we provide recommendations for how individuals can support the integration of amateurs into biology research. The benefits of investment in amateur biology research could be many-fold, however without a clear consideration of equity, efforts to promote amateur biology could exacerbate structural inequalities around access to and benefits from STEM. The future of the field of biology relies on integrating a diversity of perspectives and approaches-amateur biology researchers have an important role to play.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Casey Youngflesh
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
| | - Ana Ibarra
- Stanford University, Department of Bioengineering
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