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Gallagher R, Roger E, Packer J, Slatyer C, Rowley J, Cornwell W, Ens E, Legge S, Simpfendorfer C, Stephens R, Mesaglio T. Incorporating citizen science into IUCN Red List assessments. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2025; 39:e14329. [PMID: 39190609 PMCID: PMC11959339 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14329] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Many citizen scientists are highly motivated to help address the current extinction crisis. Their work is making valuable contributions to protecting species by raising awareness, identifying species occurrences, assessing population trends, and informing direct management actions, such as captive breeding. However, clear guidance is lacking about how to use existing citizen science data sets and how to design effective citizen science programs that directly inform extinction risk assessments and resulting conservation actions based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria. This may be because of a mismatch between what citizen science can deliver to address extinction risk and the reality of what is needed to inform threatened species listing based on IUCN criteria. To overcome this problem, we examined each IUCN Red List criterion (A-E) relative to the five major types of citizen science outputs relevant to IUCN assessments (occurrence data, presence-absence observations, structured surveys, physical samples, and narratives) to recommend which outputs are most suited to use when applying the IUCN extinction risk assessment process. We explored real-world examples of citizen science projects on amphibians and fungi that have delivered valuable data and knowledge for IUCN assessments. We found that although occurrence data are routinely used in the assessment process, simply adding more observations of occurrence from citizen science information may not be as valuable as inclusion of more nuanced data types, such as presence-absence data or information on threats from structured surveys. We then explored the characteristics of citizen science projects that have already delivered valuable data to support assessments. These projects were led by recognized experts who champion and validate citizen science data, thereby giving greater confidence in its accuracy. We urge increased recognition of the value of citizen science data within the assessment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Gallagher
- Hawkesbury Institute for the EnvironmentWestern Sydney UniversityPenrithNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Erin Roger
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Atlas of Living AustraliaCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Jasmin Packer
- Environment InstituteThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Cameron Slatyer
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Atlas of Living AustraliaCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Jodi Rowley
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES)University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Australian Museum Research InstituteAustralian MuseumSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Will Cornwell
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES)University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Emilie Ens
- School of Natural SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Sarah Legge
- Research Institute of Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin UniversityCasuarinaNorthern TerritoryAustralia
- Fenner School Environment and SocietyThe Australian National UniversityActonAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Colin Simpfendorfer
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Ruby Stephens
- Hawkesbury Institute for the EnvironmentWestern Sydney UniversityPenrithNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Thomas Mesaglio
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Atlas of Living AustraliaCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES)University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Kumar A, Singh S, Kumar D, Singh RK, Gupta AK, Premkumar K, Chand HB, Kewat AK. Investigating the phenology and interactions of competitive plant species co-occurring with invasive Lantana camara in Indian Himalayan Region. Sci Rep 2024; 14:400. [PMID: 38172161 PMCID: PMC10764828 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50287-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive plant species are considered one of the significant drivers of habitat loss, leading to biodiversity loss. They have also been observed to alter the local ecology, resulting in a decline of native flora. The management of invasive species is widely recognised as one of the most severe challenges to biodiversity conservation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers Lantana camara, as one of the ten worst weeds. Over time, native and indigenous species may evolve to co-exist or compete with invasive species, reducing invader fitness. It is observed that species competition fluctuates throughout environmental gradients, life phases, and abundances. Hence, competition outcome is very context-dependent. To address this challenge, we conducted a comprehensive study in three phases: we identified native species coexisting with Lantana in their natural habitats in the Doon Valley (Phase I) and documented the phenotypic traits of selected coexisting species using the Landmark BBCH (Biologische Bun-desantalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) scale, revealing the phenological growth patterns of selected co-existing species (Phase II). This was followed by conducting pot (Phase IIIa) and field (Phase IIIb) experiments to study the interactions between them. Notably, Justicia adhatoda, Broussonetia papyrifera, Pongamia pinnata, Urtica dioica and Bauhinia variegata demonstrated promising results in both pot and field conditions. Furthermore, after the mechanical removal of Lantana and prior to the plantation in the field experiments, four native grass species were introduced using the seed ball method. Among these, Pennisetum pedicellatum and Sorghum halpense exhibited prompt regeneration and effectively colonised the field, densely covering the cleared area. The study provides a comprehensive management plan for the restoration of Lantana affected areas through competition using native species. This study utilizes phenological assessment for native plant selection using reclamation from native grasses and proposes a management plan for combating invasive Lantana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Kumar
- Forest Ecology and Climate Change Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, India
| | - Sanjay Singh
- Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Land Management, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun, India.
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- Silviculture and Forest Management Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, India
| | - Ram Kumar Singh
- Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Land Management, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun, India
| | - Ajay Kumar Gupta
- G.B Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Ladakh Regional Centre, Leh, India
| | - Kangujam Premkumar
- Forest Ecology and Climate Change Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, India
| | - Harish Bahadur Chand
- Forest Ecology and Climate Change Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, India
| | - Anil Kumar Kewat
- Forest Ecology and Climate Change Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, India
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An Assessment of Environmental Knowledge in a Highly Biodiverse Mountainous Region of Mexico. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13020165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The environmental knowledge of inhabitants residing in a highly biodiverse mountainous region of western Mexico with an important economic forestry sector was investigated. Indices of environmental knowledge, by average and through a factor analysis, were developed and characterized using survey data collected in 2018 and 2021. These indices showed high levels of correlation, and followed similar patterns of distributions. Ordinary least squares and quantile regressions were used to examine social, economic, demographic, and perceptions as determinant factors of the generated indices. Age and education were repeatedly found as important factors influencing environmental knowledge, while income and gender were consistently not significant factors. Furthermore, environmental knowledge was related to quality of life. The index developed by factor analysis generated more significantly stable parameter results across percentiles of environmental knowledge. The indices were recommended for monitoring environmental knowledge in long term studies.
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Price D, Hughes KM, Thien F, Suphioglu C. Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma: Lessons Learned from the Storm Down-Under. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2020; 9:1510-1515. [PMID: 33172604 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Epidemic thunderstorm asthma (ETSA) is a global health problem that can strike without sufficient warning and can have catastrophic consequences. Because of climate change, future events are likely to become more common, more disastrous, and more unpredictable. To prevent loss of life and avoid surge events on health care infrastructure, identifying at-risk individuals and their potential biomarkers is the most prophylactic approach that can be taken to mitigate the deadly consequences of ETSA. In this review, we provide an update on the clinical mechanism, global prevalence, and characteristics of those patients moderately or severely at risk of ETSA. Identifying these patient characteristics will aid clinical professionals to provide suitable and personalized treatment plans and, in turn, avoid future loss of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwan Price
- NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia; NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia; Deakin AIRwatch Pollen and Spore Counting and Forecasting Facility, Deakin University, Burwood and Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Kira M Hughes
- NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia; Deakin AIRwatch Pollen and Spore Counting and Forecasting Facility, Deakin University, Burwood and Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Francis Thien
- Respiratory Medicine, Eastern Health, Box Hill Hospital and Monash University, Box Hill, VIC, Australia
| | - Cenk Suphioglu
- NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia; NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia; Deakin AIRwatch Pollen and Spore Counting and Forecasting Facility, Deakin University, Burwood and Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia.
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