Citizen Science and Open Data: a model for Invasive Alien Species in Europe

Bernat López,Helen Roy,Kyle Copas,Eleanor Jennings,Spyridon Flevaris,Mafalda Quintas,Sven Schade,René von Schomberg,Ana Cristina Cardoso,Eugenio Gervasini,Melanie Josefsson,Fabio Taucer,Linda See,Elena Montani,Tim Adriaens,Philippe Galiay,John Magan,Konstantinos Tsiamis,Elizabete Marchante

doi:10.3897/rio.3.e14811

Abstract

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are a growing threat to Europe's biodiversity. The implementation of European Union Regulation on IAS can benefit from the involvement of the public in IAS recording and management through Citizen Science (CS) initiatives. Aiming to tackle issues related with the use of CS projects on IAS topics, a dedicated workshop titled “Citizen Science and Open Data: a model for Invasive Alien Species in Europe” was organized by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST Association). Fifty key stakeholders from all Europe, including two Members of the European Parliament, attended the workshop. With a clear focus on IAS, the workshop aimed at addressing the following issues: a) CS and policy, b) citizen engagement, and c) CS data management. Nine short presentations provided input on CS and IAS issues. Participants discussed specific topics in several round tables (“world café” style) and reported back their conclusions to the audience and full assembly moderated discussions. Overall, the workshop enabled the sharing of ideas, approaches and best practices regarding CS and IAS. Specific opportunities and pitfalls of using CS data in the whole policy cycle for IAS were recognized. Concerning the implementation of the IAS Regulation, CS data could complement official surveillance systems, and contribute to the early warning of the IAS of Union concern after appropriate validation by the Member States’ competent authorities. CS projects can additionally increase awareness and empower citizens. Attendees pointed out the importance for further public engagement in CS projects on IAS that demonstrate specific initiatives and approaches and analyze lessons learned from past experiences. In addition, the workshop noted that the data gathered from different CS projects on IAS are fragmented. It highlighted the need for using an open and accessible platform to upload data originating from CS sources or to mirror validated data into a single, easy-to-use web service, in line with the EU Open Science Strategic Priority. The workshop provided ten key recommendations of best practices for CS projects on IAS, addressed to researchers, policy makers and implementing authorities, indicating future research and policy directions and opportunities.

Highlights

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are a growing threat to Europe’s biodiversity, causing severe ecological and socioeconomic impacts, and a possibly underestimated annual cost of € 12 billion in the European Union (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005, Kettunen et al 2009, Ricciardi et al 2013, Jeschke et al 2014)
Recognizing the need for robust action to control biological invasions, the European Parliament and the Council have adopted the Regulation 1143/2014 (EU 2014; hereafter referred to as the IAS Regulation) on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of IAS, which entered into force on 1st January 2015
Aiming at tackling issues related with the use of CS initiatives on IAS topics, such as monitoring in the context of policy implementation, a dedicated workshop titled “Citizen Science and Open Data: a model for Invasive Alien Species in Europe” was organized by the European Commission (EC) Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST)

Summary

Introduction

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are a growing threat to Europe’s biodiversity, causing severe ecological and socioeconomic impacts, and a possibly underestimated annual cost of € 12 billion in the European Union (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005, Kettunen et al 2009, Ricciardi et al 2013, Jeschke et al 2014). Apps can support the generation of georeferenced records of IAS which, once validated, can complement professional monitoring schemes and return useful data for early warning, rapid response programs and management schemes (Adriaens et al 2015) These developments increase the amount of data generated, inevitably raising issues of interoperability, openness and sustainability to maximize the usefulness of the collected information. Aiming at tackling issues related with the use of CS initiatives on IAS topics, such as monitoring in the context of policy implementation, a dedicated workshop titled “Citizen Science and Open Data: a model for Invasive Alien Species in Europe” was organized by the EC Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST). The detailed program of the workshop is given in Suppl. material 1

Methods

Conclusions