Species interactions: next‐level citizen science

Abstract

We envisage a future research environment where digital data on species interactions are easily accessible and comprehensively cover all species, life stages and habitats. To achieve this goal, we need data from many sources, including the largely untapped potential of citizen science for mobilising and utilising existing information on species interactions. Traditionally volunteers contributing information on the occurrence of species have focused on single‐species observations from within one target taxon. We make recommendations on how to improve the gathering of species interaction data through citizen science, which data should be collected and how it can be motivated. These recommendations include providing feedback in the form of network visualisations, leveraging a wide variety of other data sources and eliciting an emotional connection to the species in question. There are many uses for these data, but in the context of biological invasions, information on species interactions will increase understanding of the effects of invasive alien species on recipient communities and ecosystems. We believe that the inclusion of ecological networks as a concept within citizen science, not only for initiatives focussed on biological invasions but also across other ecological themes, will not only enrich scientific knowledge on species interactions but also deepen the experience and enjoyment of citizens themselves.

Establishment and spread of the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Greece: based on contributions from citizen scientists

“…Noting the difficulties in identifying ladybird larvae, resources including simple identification guides for the immature stages of H. axyridis could be developed to promote recording across all life stages. Ladybirds are attractive and charismatic (Gardiner et al 2021;Gardiner and Roy 2022), this is encouraging as people could be invited to contribute records that could help scientists understand the future range expansion, phenology, and impacts of H. axyridis on ecological networks (Groom et al 2021).…”

“…Citizen or community science is a valuable tool for recording invasive alien species at wide geographical scales and for engaging non-professionals in scientific research (Dickinson et al 2012;Roy et al 2018;Johnson et al 2020;Pataki et al 2021). Community science in entomology can give valuable information regarding the distribution of insect species and their role in ecological networks (Gardiner & Roy 2022;Groom et al 2021;Skuhrovec et al 2021). In an effort to collect data from the general public and farmers Martinou & Kontodimas (2008) published a popular science article in Greek in a farmer's magazine, describing the life-forms and other attributes of H. axyridis asking the readers to send photos or specimens to the Benaki Phytopathological Institute.…”

Why link diverse citizen science surveys? Widespread arboreal habits of a terrestrial amphibian revealed by mammalian tree surveys in Britain

“…The fact that standardised survey data has existed unused for nearly a decade in Britain from separate monitoring projects should act as an incentive for other researchers to investigate such collaborations. Future citizen science should look beyond distribution and abundance data and target complex species interactions (46); collecting and integrating diverse citizen science datasets across taxa groups could provide valuable datasets for further study.…”

Why link diverse citizen science surveys? Widespread arboreal habits of a terrestrial amphibian revealed by mammalian tree surveys in Britain

“…The fact that standardised survey data has existed unused for nearly a decade in Britain from separate monitoring projects should act as an incentive for other researchers to investigate such collaborations. Future citizen science should look beyond distribution and abundance data and target complex species interactions [ 49 ]; collecting and integrating diverse citizen science datasets across taxa groups could provide valuable datasets for further study.…”