Emerging technologies for biological recording

Abstract

Technology has played an important role in biological recording for hundreds of years, from the invention of the microscope to the microprocessor. We review current and emerging technologies that are changing the way we study and record the natural world. From websites to smartphones, data capture is becoming easier, faster and more accessible. Increases in data volume and wider participation raises concerns over data quality, which are being addressed with accurate sensors, automated validation tools, and verification platforms that utilize expert taxonomists and collective intelligence to ensure the highest level of quality possible. Data curation and interoperability have been transformed in the information age. The need to collate data at continental and global scales and across institutions continues to drive the formation of standardized data formats and taxonomies. Once collated these data can be analysed using high-performance computing, and used to provide valuable feedback in the form of interactive visualizations, computer-generated text or even game-like rewards. We also address issues arising from these technological developments. For example: how will the role of the expert naturalist change? Is biological recording undergoing a revolutionary or evolutionary process? How is technology leading to the empowerment of the public?

Exploring the role of smartphone technology for citizen science in agriculture

“…Recent advances in digital information and communication technologies have enabled much wider participation in citizen science, to include people that may not possess any, or only limited, background knowledge of the studied subjects, but are nevertheless willing to contribute by collecting data (Adriaens et al 2015;Graham et al 2011;August et al 2015). Furthermore, the development of mobile smartphone technologies in particular offers several advantages, including the functionality to take photographs, use microphones and…”

Seven Recommendations to Make Your Invasive Alien Species Data More Useful

“…As such, the current process restricts alien species data exchange, aggregation, interoperability and even rescue. Technological advances have boosted the number of initiatives [30], but also increased the data's volume and complexity [23,[31][32][33]. A holistic approach to complex biological questions requires more from data than a traditional reductionist approach, as demonstrated by the success of the Gene Ontology [34].…”

“…Yet this poses additional challenges of ensuring data quality, data curation, interoperability and future-proofing against obsolete technology and increasing data volumes [35]. Technological change promises many improvements in data collection, with systems such as smartphones equipped with built-in GPS, image capture, external sensors, and automated and expert validation [31]. Also, advances in species detection through environmental DNA, such as those of Dejean et al [32], need support to be included within alien species initiatives.…”

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“…Preliminary testing of the App on both a laptop and a mobile phone demonstrated the potential of HTML5 as an "write once, deploy anywhere" (August et al, 2015) approach to VGI App development. This has great advantages over existing multi-platform deployments both in terms of the effort required to develop the App (once instead of three times in different languages, for web, iPhone and Android) and also for maintenance purposes.…”