Emerging technologies in citizen science and potential for insect monitoring

Abstract

Emerging technologies are increasingly employed in environmental citizen science projects. This integration offers benefits and opportunities for scientists and participants alike. Citizen science can support large-scale, long-term monitoring of species occurrences, behaviour and interactions. At the same time, technologies can foster participant engagement, regardless of pre-existing taxonomic expertise or experience, and permit new types of data to be collected. Yet, technologies may also create challenges by potentially increasing financial costs, necessitating technological expertise or demanding training of participants. Technology could also reduce people's direct involvement and engagement with nature. In this perspective, we discuss how current technologies have spurred an increase in citizen science projects and how the implementation of emerging technologies in citizen science may enhance scientific impact and public engagement. We show how technology can act as (i) a facilitator of current citizen science and monitoring efforts, (ii) an enabler of new research opportunities, and (iii) a transformer of science, policy and public participation, but could also become (iv) an inhibitor of participation, equity and scientific rigour. Technology is developing fast and promises to provide many exciting opportunities for citizen science and insect monitoring, but while we seize these opportunities, we must remain vigilant against potential risks. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring’.

Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring

“…Using computer vision, often in combination with deep learning of annotated images, images of organisms can be automatically identified, frequently to species or genus level. Together with the development of high-quality smartphone cameras, this has paved the way for the set-up of online portals for image-based species observations such as eButterfly, iNaturalist and ObsIdentify, which are aimed at citizen scientist involvement [ 36 ]. However, to make use of this technology for insect monitoring and biodiversity assessments, more standardized methods are needed.…”

“…As these programmes often rely on volunteers, they are an important way nature enthusiasts come into direct contact with insects in their natural habitats. To keep volunteers engaged, Sheard et al [ 36 ] review the need to consider the potential consequences of technological developments also for citizen scientists and peoples' connection with nature: the use of novel technology in citizen science projects can increase the ecological detail recorded and, importantly, reduce the taxonomic expertise required for participation. However, this may reduce the inclusivity of such programmes, e.g.…”

“…However, this may reduce the inclusivity of such programmes, e.g. owing to higher financial costs of participation, technological expertise needed, and the reliance on digital infrastructure, and thus, jeopardize widespread implementation [ 36 ].…”

Systematic challenges and opportunities in insect monitoring: a Global South perspective

“…Citizen science allows the non-scientist public to participate in and contribute to scientific research and brings them closer to science. This contributory model of citizen science brings together scientists and other members of the general populace to collect and process data and to discuss and make meaningful data-driven decisions on threats to biodiversity and the environment [ 76 , 77 ]. This crowdsourcing, contributory model in the research effort, viz .…”