Citizen Science Initiatives Research Articles

Long-term variation in exposure to NO2 concentrations in the city of Naples, Italy: Results of a citizen science project

The objective of this study is to evaluate long-term changes in the level of exposure to NO2 among the population living in the urban area of Naples (south Italy). This has been achieved by integrating data from the regional reference monitoring network with information collected during the citizen science initiative called ‘NO2, NO grazie!’ conducted in February 2020 and coordinated by the Non-Governmental Organisation ‘Cittadini per l'aria’. This citizen science campaign was based on low-cost passive samplers (Palmes tubes), providing the ability to obtain unprecedented high-resolution NO2 levels. Using a Land Use Random Forest (LURF), we extrapolated the experimental data obtained from the citizen science campaign and evaluated the changes in population exposure from 2013 to 2022 and the uncertainty associated with this assessment was quantified. The results indicate that a large proportion of the inhabitants of Naples are still exposed to high NO2 concentrations, even if strict emission containment measures are enforced. The average levels remain higher than the new interim and air quality targets suggested by the World Health Organisation. The implementation of co-created citizen science projects, where NGO and citizens actively participate alongside scientists, can significantly improve the estimation and the interpretation of official reference data.

Model-Driven Approach for Making Citizen Science Data FAIR

Citizen Science (CS) initiatives have proliferated in different scientific and social fields, producing vast amounts of data. Existing CS projects usually adopt PPSR Core as a data and metadata standard. However, these projects are still not FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable)-compliant. We propose to use DCAT as a data and metadata standard since it helps to improve the interoperability of CS data catalogs and all the FAIR features. For this purpose, in this paper we present a model-driven approach to make CS data FAIR. Our approach has the following contributions: (i) the definition of a metamodel based on PPSR Core, (ii) the definition of a DCAT profile for CS, (iii) a definition of set of automated transformations from PPSR Core to DCAT. Finally, the implementation of the model-driven process has been validated by evaluating several FAIR metrics. The results show that our proposal has significantly improved the FAIR quality of CS projects.

New citizen science initiative enhances flowering onset predictions for fruit trees in Great Britain.

Accurately predicting flowering phenology in fruit tree orchards is crucial for timely pest and pathogen treatments and for the introduction of managed pollinators. Making predictions requires large datasets of flowering dates, which are often limited to single locations. Consequently, the resulting phenology predictions are not representative across larger geographic areas. Citizen science may offer a solution to this data gap, with millions of biological records across a wide range of taxa recorded annually. Here, a new citizen science platform called 'FruitWatch' is introduced, monitoring the flowering dates of fruit trees in Great Britain. The objectives of this study are to assess the suitability of FruitWatch submissions to (i) detect latitudinal variation in flowering onset dates, (ii) parameterize existing phenology modelling frameworks, and (iii) make predictions of flowering onset dates across Great Britain for a single year. Using data for four cultivars from 2022, linear models reveal significant latitudinal delays in flowering onset of as much as 1.49 ± 0.63days per degree latitude further north (Pear 'Conference'), with significant delays also seen in Cherry 'Stella' (1.39 ± 0.48days) and Plum 'Victoria' (1.22 ± 0.18days). FruitWatch informed phenology modelling frameworks performed well for predicting flowering onset, with root mean square error values of predictions from validation datasets ranging between 4.6 ('Victoria') and 8.0 ('Conference') days. The parameterized models also provided realistic flowering onset predictions across Great Britain in 2022, with earlier flowering dates predicted in warmer areas. These findings demonstrate the potential of citizen science data to offer growers cultivar- and location-specific phenology predictions to help inform orchard management.

OccTest: An integrated approach for quality control of species occurrence data

AbstractAimSpecies occurrence data are valuable information that enables one to estimate geographical distributions, characterize niches and their evolution, and guide spatial conservation planning. Rapid increases in species occurrence data stem from increasing digitization and aggregation efforts, and citizen science initiatives. However, persistent quality issues in occurrence data can impact the accuracy of scientific findings, underscoring the importance of filtering erroneous occurrence records in biodiversity analyses.InnovationWe introduce an R package, occTest, that synthesizes a growing open‐source ecosystem of biodiversity cleaning workflows to prepare occurrence data for different modelling applications. It offers a structured set of algorithms to identify potential problems with species occurrence records by employing a hierarchical organization of multiple tests. The workflow has a hierarchical structure organized in testPhases (i.e. cleaning vs. testing) that encompass different testBlocks grouping different testTypes (e.g. environmental outlier detection), which may use different testMethods (e.g. Rosner test, jacknife,etc.). Four different testBlocks characterize potential problems in geographic, environmental, human influence and temporal dimensions. Filtering and plotting functions are incorporated to facilitate the interpretation of tests. We provide examples with different data sources, with default and user‐defined parameters. Compared to other available tools and workflows, occTest offers a comprehensive suite of integrated tests, and allows multiple methods associated with each test to explore consensus among data cleaning methods. It uniquely incorporates both coordinate accuracy analysis and environmental analysis of occurrence records. Furthermore, it provides a hierarchical structure to incorporate future tests yet to be developed.Main conclusionsoccTest will help users understand the quality and quantity of data available before the start of data analysis, while also enabling users to filter data using either predefined rules or custom‐built rules. As a result, occTest can better assess each record's appropriateness for its intended application.

Affective Encounters with More-than-humans: Digital Platforms in a Time of Environmental Loss

Abstract Over the past twenty years, participatory digital platforms have emerged where observations of more-than-humans are shared. Such citizen science initiatives are considered important for science and policy. This research article draws on affect theory to bring to the fore the affective side of encounters between humans and more-than-humans that comes with this practice. Based on ethnographic fieldwork with Dutch observers, we analyse how observers experience the mediation of the digital observation platform Waarneming.nl, specifically in the context of environmental loss. Based on observations of and conversations with observers, we found that bodily and sensory attentiveness of observers is important in establishing encounters with more-than-humans whilst mediated by Waarneming.nl. We propose that sharing an observation on such platforms is an affective act in itself. Observers show deep care about the more-than-humans they encounter, expressing love as well as worry over their decline. The (not) sharing of these encounters is a way for them to care for more-than-humans. We end this analysis by calling for further reflection on the contrast between the data points on the platform and the affective experiences in the field.

Implementing Citizen Science within Open Science: Identifying Extra-Academic Skills, Collaborations, Rewards and Recognitions in the Context of a University

What should a university do to support citizen science initiatives within an open science context, and to assist and facilitate researchers in performing effective citizen science? Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) has developed an open science program that includes, among other projects, citizen science. However, performing citizen science is not a straightforward task. For the people designing and managing citizen science projects, it demands appropriate knowledge, understanding, and experience of the field, as well as knowledge of the practical implementation of citizen science and open science. This requires a deeper understanding of which extra-academic skills, collaborations, rewards, and recognitions are needed for a citizen science project. Therefore, we used a local, hydrological citizen science project, “Delft Measures Rain,” as a case-study, implementing citizen science methods and the TU Delft Open Science principles. By means of this case-study, we identify key tools and facilitation needs to assist researchers within TU Delft to perform effective citizen science and open science. This paper shows how the various stakeholders (i.e., researchers, citizens, civil servants, and NGO’s) can benefit from performing participatory research implementing citizen science and open science principles. We list 10 key elements, encompassing tools, facilitation, and infrastructures that universities can provide for their researchers to stimulate and support the implementation and execution of successful, legally sound, and open citizen science. This case study shows that with appropriate and extra-academic knowledge, tools, collaborations, rewards, and recognitions, citizen science can deliver what it promises and be of great value to universities and open science in general.

Enhancing Astronomical Literacy In Maritime Navigation: Impact Of Social Media and Citizen Science

This study investigates the influence of social media and citizen science initiatives on astronomical literacy and its application in maritime navigation among transportation cadets. Through qualitative research methods, including interviews and observational studies, the perceptions and practices of 40 cadets at a transportation institute in Jakarta were explored. The findings reveal that social media platforms play a significant role in enhancing navigational knowledge and skills among cadets, providing access to diverse educational resources and fostering engagement with astronomical content. Similarly, participation in citizen science projects positively impacts astronomical literacy, offering hands-on learning experiences that reinforce theoretical knowledge. Moreover, the research highlights the importance of promoting cultural competence in maritime education to prepare cadets for navigating in multicultural environments. By aligning educational curricula with international standards and embracing emerging technologies, educational institutions can better equip transportation cadets with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the globalised maritime industry.

Perceptions Of Cadets On Visual Cues And Astronomical Learning In Maritime Safety And Navigation

This research explores the perceptions of 40 cadets at the Transportation Institute in Jakarta regarding the application of visual cues and astronomical learning in maritime safety and navigation. Through qualitative research methods, including interviews and observational techniques, the study examines cadets' proficiency in celestial navigation, their engagement with social media and citizen science initiatives related to astronomical learning, and their awareness of cultural differences in navigation practices. The findings reveal that cadets demonstrate a high level of proficiency in celestial navigation, indicating the effectiveness of the educational practices at the Transportation Institute. However, there is room for improvement in terms of leveraging social media for educational purposes and developing cross-cultural sensitivity among cadets. The research highlights the importance of integrating practical training, fostering cross-cultural competence, and promoting a culture of lifelong learning among cadets to ensure their preparedness for the modern maritime industry. The insights gained from this research can inform educational practices and professional development initiatives in the maritime sector.

A New Generation of Citizen Scientists: Self-Efficacy and Skill Growth in a Voluntary Project Applied in the College Classroom Setting

Using citizen science resources and projects in university education is a burgeoning pedagogical tool that can promote real-world application of science, autonomous learning, and understanding of self-efficacy in science learning. In this case study, we examined several factors relating to self-efficacy and skill growth in STEM and non-STEM majors in life science courses of different levels at one university. Four life science classes in Fall 2022 (n = 109 students) voluntarily participated in a self-guided pollinator training module. Motivations, previous awareness, participation, and self-efficacy and self-identification for citizen science participation and for general scientific inquiry were assessed through pre- and post-surveys before and after module training. Students characterized themselves as STEM or non-STEM majors to understand self-identity. In having students self-report their identity in STEM, we found a trend (79.2%) of natural resource and agricultural majors ranking themselves as non-STEM. Across all participants, we observed a significant increase for learning outcomes between pre- and post-survey results (ɑ = 0.05). Self-reported non-STEM students showed a positive trend between surveys across survey questions. In comparison, self-reported STEM students showed very little increase across surveys but ranked highly in both pre- and post-survey results (mean = 3.42 out of 4). Overall, our findings suggest that even small-scale citizen science–based projects may increase students’ familiarity with concepts based in scientific inquiry and meet learning outcomes benefitting the goals of both higher education and citizen science initiatives.

Exploring fungal diversity in Vietnam: A citizen science initiative

Invasive fungal diseases are increasing globally, causing a large burden of disease in vulnerable populations. At the same time, antifungal resistance is rapidly emerging. Affordable nationwide and regional surveillance of fungal pathogens is needed.We have adapted a citizen-science methodology developed by a United Kingdom research group to study six key fungi in Vietnam, where there is no existing formal surveillance. These pathogens were ranked as high or critical in the World Health Organization fungal priority pathogens list and recognized as major disease-causing agents in Vietnam. Secondary school students (n = 90) in Hanoi were our citizen scientists, collecting soil (n = 90) and air (n = 90) samples for fungal identification and characterisation of drug-susceptibility in the laboratory.Pilot studies confirmed the effectiveness of our revised isolation procedure, which used selective culture media to improve the isolation of target fungi. Through active school and student involvement, optimized protocols, and our cost-effective sampling, the study could be scaled across Vietnam.We demonstrate an approach to fungal surveillance which also enhances science education, and awareness of fungal diseases. It addresses critical healthcare and education challenges in Vietnam while combating the growing issues of invasive fungal diseases and antifungal resistance.

Recruitment, Retention, and Training of Citizen Scientists in Translational Medicine Research: A Citizen Science Initiative on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Citizen science is a participatory science approach in which members of the public (citizens) collaborate with scientists and professional researchers and become involved in research and innovation activities, resulting in the co-creation of scientific knowledge and innovation. Citizen science has been widely applied in research, particularly in the social sciences, environmental sciences, information and communication technologies, and public health. However, the application of this approach inclinical sciences, particularly in translational medicine research, is still nascent. This exploratory study involved members of the public (citizen scientists) in a translational medicineexperiment on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that incorporated a lifestyle and weight-loss intervention. The aim of this paper is to report successful methods and approaches for the recruitment, retention, and training of citizen scientists. For the citizen scientists' recruitment, online calls placed on the websites of our research project and biomedical research centerand targeted emails were the most helpful. Of the 14 members of the public who expressed interest in our study, six were recruited as citizen scientists. Citizen scientists were mostly female (n = 5, 83%), white (n = 3, 50%), over 50 years of age (n = 4, 67%), educated to postgraduate level (n = 5, 83%), and either retired or not in employment (n = 5, 83%). The retention rate was 83% (n = 5), and the dropout rate was 17% (n = 1). We arranged instructor-led interactive online training sessions (an hour-long one-on-one session and two-hour group sessions). Research skills training covered ethics in research and qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Citizen scientists were given several incentives, such as reimbursement of travel and care costs, selection as citizen scientists of the month, publications of their blogs and perspective articles, and co-authorship and acknowledgement in papers and project deliverables. To conclude, members of the public (particularly middle-aged white women with postgraduate education) are interested in becoming citizen scientists in translational medicine research. Their retention rate is higher, and they can contribute to different research activities. However, they need training to develop their research skills and expertise. The training should be simple, comprehensive, and flexible to accommodate the schedules of individual citizen scientists. They deserve incentives as they work on a voluntary basis.

Benefits of Citizen Science for Libraries

Participating in collaborative scientific research through citizen science, a component of open science, holds significance for both citizen scientists and professional researchers. Yet, the advantages for those orchestrating citizen science initiatives are often overlooked. Organizers encompass a diverse range, including governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, corporations, universities, and institutions like libraries. For libraries, citizen science holds importance by fostering heightened civic and research interests, promoting scientific publishing, and contributing to overall scientific progress. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the specific ways in which citizen science can benefit libraries and how libraries can effectively utilize citizen science to achieve their goals. The paper is based on a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles that discuss the direct benefits of citizen science on libraries. A list of the main benefits of citizen science for libraries has been compiled from the literature. Additionally, the reasons why it is crucial for libraries to communicate the benefits of citizen science for their operations have been highlighted, particularly in terms of encouraging other libraries to actively engage in citizen science projects.

Citizen-science data identifies the daily movement patterns and habitat associations of a nocturnal urban-invading bird species (Corvus frugilegus)

Rooks (Corvus frugilegus) are an invasive bird species in South Korea that are deemed harmful due to nocturnal urban invasions and agricultural damage. Employing citizen science data, we document the daily movement patterns and habitat associations of nocturnal urban-invading rooks in Suwon, South Korea. We collected 4,522 geolocated observations from December 2021 to March 2022, categorized by the timings of sunrise and sunset and segmented into 3-h intervals. Using the MaxENT (Maximum Entropy Model) and k-fold cross-validation (k = 10) with a 25% random test sample, we analyzed daily movement patterns and habitat preferences. Our results show that rooks forage in agricultural areas shortly after sunrise and roost in urban environments after sunset. Urban roosts tend to occur in areas near buildings of medium height (6–20 stories) that are illuminated by artificial light and contain utility poles. The variables with the highest percent contribution to rooks’ presence after sunset were buildings of medium height (20.7%), land use type (19.4%), elevation (29%), and utility pole (14.5%). Our findings emphasize the potential of citizen science initiatives to generate insights into the ecology of invasive bird species within large urban environments.

Home-and-away comparisons of life history traits indicate enemy release and founder effects of the solitary bee, Megachile sculpturalis

Occurrences of introduced and invasive pollinators are increasing worldwide. To predict the potential impacts of exotic bees on native ecosystems we need to understand their ecological interactions. Life history traits are fundamental for understanding ecological interactions and often help to explain the spread of exotic species. We conducted home-and-away comparisons of life history traits of the first invasive bee in Europe, the sculptured resin bee Megachile sculpturalis Smith 1853. We compiled information on nest architecture, offspring, natural enemies, body size and phenology using published literature, museum specimen, data from citizen science initiatives, field observations and reared specimen. Megachile sculpturalis uses a broad variety of nesting materials for brood cell construction, including even plastic at the exotic range. Body size at warm temperate climate was similar in the native and exotic ranges, but phenology shifted forward by about one month (28.9 ± 3.3 SE days) in the exotic ranges. The abundance of natural enemies was similar between native and exotic ranges but specialist enemies were missing in the exotic ranges. These trait shifts may be explained by founder effects or ecological filtering. The comparison of life history traits in native and exotic ranges sheds light on the ecological-evolutionary process of this quickly spreading species and provides a better understanding of invasion processes in solitary bees.

Beetlehangers.org: harmonizing host–parasite records of Harmonia axyridis and Hesperomyces harmoniae

Citizen science is an increasingly powerful tool to gather large quantities of biological data and to engage the public. The number of citizen science initiatives has rapidly increased in the last 15 years. Invasive alien species such as the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae), provide a particularly good opportunity for broad-scale use of such initiatives. Harmonia axyridis is parasitized by a fungus, Hesperomyces harmoniae (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniales), that can be found throughout the range of its host. Here we present Beetlehangers.org, a website and data repository where we combine observations of He. harmoniae from literature, online databases, and citizen science initiatives, including new records of both Ha. axyridis and He. harmoniae. Whereas Ha. axyridis is now present in 86 countries across six continents (including seven new country records), the distribution of its parasite He. harmoniae comprises 33 countries in five continents (including two new country records since its description in 2022). We explore spatiotemporal trends of He. harmoniae in light of these records. Finally, we discuss challenges and new opportunities for citizen science in relation to species interactions such as these and provide future perspectives for the website as a home for future Laboulbeniales research and outreach.

Citizen Science for Enhanced Dengue Vector Surveillance in Solomon Islands: A Methods Paper

Arthropod-borne arboviral diseases—including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya—place a substantial burden on the health of populations, globally. Dengue alone is endemic in more than 100 countries and causes more than 96 million symptomatic cases and approximately 40,000 deaths annually. The recent surge in arboviral disease outbreaks, coupled with the World Health Organization’s newly published vector control guidelines, accentuates the imperative to understand the dispersion of disease-carrying mosquitoes across diverse spatial and temporal scales. However, traditional surveillance mechanisms often fall short because of workforce limitations, logistical complexities, jurisdictional boundaries, and budgetary constraints, especially in low- and low-middle-income countries. In this article, we systematically report the design, implementation, and iterative enhancement of a groundbreaking school-based citizen science initiative for augmenting mosquito surveillance in the Solomon Islands. Key reflections encompass the initiative’s role in supporting routine government-led disease vector monitoring, sustainability through integration and fostering participant engagement, and the amalgamation of citizen-collected data with government surveillance activities. The article also discusses the impact of the citizen science initiative with regard to the Solomon Islands’ pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals. Our findings underscore the potential of citizen science methods to support and extend public health surveillance activities and to serve as a community-engagement-for-behaviour-change tool in resource-constrained contexts.

Aula Verde (tree room) as a link between art and science to raise public awareness of nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions inherently require a multifaceted perspective that encompasses diverse fields. The aim of this project is to develop more effective nature-based solutions, climate action and environmental awareness by breaking down boundaries between disciplines and fostering a co-creative process. Concepts of ecology and urban forestry were combined with the research on political ecology, environmental humanities, land art, regenerative art, performing art, participatory art, and more-than-human art. This process resulted in the creation of Aula Verde Aniene. It is located in an urban park in Rome and consists of a stand of trees arranged in circles with a specific design to give the perception of being in an outdoor vegetated room. The project activities involved community participation through art performances and citizen science initiatives. Regulating and cultural ecosystem services of Aula Verde were assessed using i-Tree Eco software and citizens’ surveys. Beyond numerical descriptions of ecosystem services, the manuscript introduces shinrin-yoku as a practice to raise awareness of nature. The distinctive approach here described contributed to convey a sense of belonging to the ecosystem to citizens. The project framework and study findings have been developed to formulate policy recommendations and disseminate a format that can be adapted to diverse locations.

Citizen science approach to assessing patient perception of MRI with flexible radiofrequency coils

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a major medical imaging modality, which is non-invasive and provides unique soft tissue contrast without ionizing radiation. The successful completion of MRI exams critically depends on patient compliance, and, thus patient comfort. The design, appearance and usability of local MRI radiofrequency (RF) coils potentially influences the patients’ perception of the exam. However, systematic investigations and empirical evidence for these aspects are missing. A questionnaire specifically evaluating the impact of RF coils on patient comfort in MRI would be a valuable addition to clinical studies comparing the performance of novel flexible RF coils with standard rigid coils. This paper describes the development of such a questionnaire in the scope of a citizen science (CS) initiative conducted with a group of students at the upper secondary school level. In this work, the CS initiative is presented in the format of a case report and its impact on scientific projects and the students’ education is outlined. The resulting questionnaire is made available in German and English so as to be directly applicable by researchers working on the clinical evaluation of novel RF coils or the comfort evaluation of specific hardware setups in general.

Bird atlas in action: using citizen science data to generate population trend alerts in Hessequa, South Africa

Citizen science data are rapidly transforming the conservation landscape. Targeted participatory citizen science initiatives generate nuanced data capable of monitoring trends in populations and generating early warnings for species and habitats experiencing significant declines. In the Hessequa Atlasing Area, Western Cape, South Africa, citizen science 'atlasers' involved with the Second Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2) have worked with scientific leadership since 2014 to improve the quality of bird atlas data in their region for species monitoring. In this study, we used reporting rates from SABAP2 checklists in the Hessequa Atlasing Area to calculate changes in range size and relative abundance for the 165 most commonly reported species in the region. We used a seven-tier alert system and broad habitat categories to sort species by priority for conservation action. Our results showed that wetland and marine associated species are experiencing the greatest declines in range and relative abundance in the Hessequa Atlasing Area, whilst urban and grassland associated species are largely increasing. We discuss how observed changes in populations may be used to guide conservation action and provide recommendations for scientists and non-scientific community members on engaging with and responding to the changes highlighted in each of the seven alert levels provided.

Introducing FRED: Software for Generating Feedback Reports for Ecological Momentary Assessment Data.

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a data collection approach utilizing smartphone applications or wearable devices to gather insights into daily life. EMA has advantages over traditional surveys, such as increasing ecological validity. However, especially prolonged data collection can burden participants by disrupting their everyday activities. Consequently, EMA studies can have comparably high rates of missing data and face problems of compliance. Giving participants access to their data via accessible feedback reports, as seen in citizen science initiatives, may increase participant motivation. Existing frameworks to generate such reports focus on single individuals in clinical settings and do not scale well to large datasets. Here, we introduce FRED (Feedback Reports on EMA Data) to tackle the challenge of providing personalized reports to many participants. FRED is an interactive online tool in which participants can explore their own personalized data reports. We showcase FRED using data from theWARN-D study, where 867 participants were queried for 85 consecutive days with four daily and one weekly survey, resulting in up to 352 observations per participant. FRED includes descriptive statistics, time-series visualizations, and network analyses on selected EMA variables. Participants can access the reports online as part of a Shiny app, developed via the R programming language. We make the code and infrastructure of FRED available in the hope that it will be useful for both research and clinical settings, given that it can be flexibly adapted to the needs of other projects with the goal of generating personalized data reports.