Comparison of marine debris data collected by researchers and citizen scientists: Is citizen science data worth the effort?

Velde, Tonya van der; Milton, David A.; Lawson, T.J.; Wilcox, Chris; Lansdell, Matt; Davis, Géraldine; Perkins, Genevieve C.; Hardesty, Britta Denise

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2016.05.025

Cited by 117 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…3.2.2 for a review) were shown to positively correlate with data quality. In other cases, citizen science data has been shown to demonstrate bias or inaccuracies (Courter et al 2013;Forrester et al 2015;van der Velde et al 2017), but this can be minimized in data summaries by examining broader-scale trends (e.g. family level rather than species level) (Fore et al 2001;Gouraguine et al 2019) or excluding data from participants that differed substantially to data collected by scientists (Culver et al 2010).…”

Section: Data Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Science for the Future: The Use of Citizen Science in Marine Research and Conservation

Earp

Liconti

2019

YOUMARES 9 - The Oceans: Our Research, Our Future

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Over the last decade, significant advances in citizen science have occurred, allowing projects to extend in scope from the ocean floor to the Milky Way and cover almost everything in between. These projects have provided costeffective means to collect extensive data sets covering vast spatio-temporal scales that can be used in scientific research, to develop conservation policy and to promote environmental awareness. This review explores the current status of marine citizen science by examining 120 marine citizen science projects. Trends in geographic locations, focal taxa, participant demographics, tasks undertaken and data directionality (i.e. storage and publication) are highlighted, and the challenges and benefits of citizen science to marine research and conservation are reviewed. Marine citizen science projects act primarily at national levels (53.3%) and mainly focus on coastal ocean environments (49.2%) with chordates as the most popular focus taxa (40%). Some form of methodological training for participants is provided by 64.2% of projects, and the most popular tasks undertaken are field surveys (35.8%) and reporting of opportunistic sightings (34.2%). Data quality and participant motivation are among the most common challenges facing projects, but identified strengths include enhanced marine policy, increased scientific knowledge and environmental stewardship. In conclusion , marine citizen science lies at a crossroads of unresolved challenges, demonstrated successes and unrealized potential. However, should the challenges be addressed, the unique capacity of citizen science to broaden the scope of investigations may be the key to the future of marine research and conservation in times of global change and financial hardship.

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Section: Data Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Science for the Future: The Use of Citizen Science in Marine Research and Conservation

Earp

Liconti

2019

YOUMARES 9 - The Oceans: Our Research, Our Future

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“…• diseases, debris, toxins or other threats (Lewis, Oliver & Oliver, 2017;van der Velde et al, 2017), or • changes over time (Albers, Lange & Xu, 2017).…”

Section: Eurasia J Math Sci and Tech Edmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting Environmental Education for Primary School-aged Students Using Digital Technologies

Buchanan

Pressick-Kilborn

Maher

2018

EURASIA J MATH SCI T

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As demands on the environment continue to intensify, it becomes increasingly urgent to act sustainably, responsibly and respectfully, to protect and restore environments. Digital technologies, including videoconferencing, mobile apps and virtual and augmented realities, can provide new ways of engaging students in environmental stewardship. Such technologies can pique student interest, while enabling them to capture experiences of local and distal environments, to collect data and share their findings with broader audiences. This article critically explores innovative, formal and informal learning practices in experiential environmental education approaches among schools, families and communities, such as citizen science projects. It draws on qualitative case study vignettes, as well as the authors' previous work and broader literature, to consider the potential and limitations of such technologies and approaches. The key question concerns how existing and emerging technologies might serve as bridges or barriers to apprenticing young people into globally-minded, environmentally responsible and respectful behaviours.

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“…Specific species also drive these industries. For example, shark, ray, and turtle tourism attracts millions of people (e.g., scuba divers), generating direct revenues for local operators and businesses, and contributing to economies on regional and nationwide scales (Huveneers et al, 2017;O'Malley et al, 2013;Troeng & Drews, 2004).…”

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confidence: 99%

Tourism-driven ocean science for sustainable use: A case study of sharks in Fiji

Brunnschweiler

Sykes

2020

Preprint

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The oceans are in a state of rapid change -both negatively, due climate destabilization and misuse, and positively, due to strengthening of policies for sustainable use combined with momentum to grow the blue economy. Globally, more than 121 million people enjoy nature-based marine tourism -e.g., recreational fishing, diving, whale watching -making it one of the largest marine sectors. This industry is increasingly threatened by ocean degradation and management has not kept pace to ensure long-term sustainability. In response, individuals within the industry are taking it upon themselves to monitor the oceans and provide the data needed to assist management decisions. Fiji is one such place where the dive tourism industry is motivated to monitor the oceans (e.g., track sharks). In 2012, 39 dive operators in collaboration with eOceans commenced the Great Fiji Shark Count (GFSC) to document sharks (and other species) on 592 dive sites. Here, using 146,304 shark observations from 30,668 dives we document spatial patterns of 11 shark species. High variability demonstrates the value of longitudinal data that include absences for describing mobile megafauna and the capacity of stakeholders to document the oceans. Our results may be used to guide future scientific questions, provide a baseline for future assessments, or to evaluate conservation needs. It also shows the value of scientists collaborating with stakeholders to address questions that are most important to the local community so that they have the information needed to make science-based decisions.

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Comparison of marine debris data collected by researchers and citizen scientists: Is citizen science data worth the effort?

Cited by 117 publications

References 38 publications

Science for the Future: The Use of Citizen Science in Marine Research and Conservation

Science for the Future: The Use of Citizen Science in Marine Research and Conservation

Promoting Environmental Education for Primary School-aged Students Using Digital Technologies

Tourism-driven ocean science for sustainable use: A case study of sharks in Fiji

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