Species interactions: next‐level citizen science

Groom, Quentin; Pernat, Nadja; Adriaens, Tim; de Groot, Maarten; Jelaska, Sven D.; Marčiulynienė, Diana; Martinou, Angeliki F.; Skuhrovec, Jiří; Tricarico, Elena; Wit, Ernst C.; Roy, Helen E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6050-679X. 2021 Species interactions: next‐level citizen science. Ecography, 44 (12). 1781-1789. 10.1111/ecog.05790

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ecog.05790

Abstract/Summary

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.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1111/ecog.05790
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0906-7590
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	data collection, ecosystems, human environment, networks, species interaction
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	01 Dec 2021 11:43 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/531482

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1111/ecog.05790

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

0906-7590

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

data collection, ecosystems, human environment, networks, species interaction