Trying to engage the crowd in recording invasive alien species in Europe: experiences from two smartphone applications in northwest Europe

Tim Adriaens

doi:10.3391/mbi.2015.6.2.12

Abstract

New technologies such as smartphone application software (apps) are increasingly used to reach a wider audience on the subject of invasive alien species (IAS) and to involve the public in recording them. In this paper we present two of the more recent smartphone applications for IAS recording in northwest Europe, the RINSE That's Invasive! app and the KORINA app. We present an overview of available smartphone apps for IAS recording in Europe and address issues of data integration, data openness, data quality, data harmonisation and database interoperability. Finally, we make some recommendations for future app design.

Highlights

The overarching aim of this Special Issue of Management of Biological Invasions is to describe such information systems
Particular focus has been given to documenting the various approaches for collection, harmonization and integration of information; discussing related technical issues and developments, including data publishing; providing examples of collaboration of information systems through networking and interoperable web services; discussing sustainability and funding issues; prioritizing future efforts through horizon scanning; and assisting the publication of large datasets related to the information systems, as citable online supplementary material
This Special Issue is not inclusive of all information systems that focus on biological invasions, but it does present a number of international, regional, national and local initiatives

Summary

Introduction

The overarching aim of this Special Issue of Management of Biological Invasions is to describe such information systems. Particular focus has been given to documenting the various approaches for collection, harmonization and integration of information; discussing related technical issues and developments, including data publishing; providing examples of collaboration of information systems through networking and interoperable web services; discussing sustainability and funding issues; prioritizing future efforts through horizon scanning; and assisting the publication of large datasets related to the information systems, as citable online supplementary material.

Results

Conclusion