Citizen science for assessing pesticide impacts in agricultural streams

von Gönner, Julia; Bowler, Diana E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7775-1668; Gröning, Jonas; Klauer, Anna-Katharina; Liess, Matthias; Neuer, Lilian; Bonn, Aletta. 2023 Citizen science for assessing pesticide impacts in agricultural streams. Science of the Total Environment, 857 (3), 159607. 12, pp. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159607

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159607

Abstract/Summary

The majority of central European streams are in poor ecological condition. Pesticide inputs from terrestrial habitats present a key threat to sensitive insects in streams. Both standardized stream monitoring data and societal support are needed to conserve and restore freshwater habitats. Citizen science (CS) offers potential to complement international freshwater monitoring while it is often viewed critically due to concerns about data accuracy. Here, we developed a CS program based on the Water Framework Directive that enables citizen scientists to provide data on stream hydromorphology, physicochemical status and benthic macroinvertebrates to apply the trait-based bio-indicator SPEARpesticides for pesticide exposure. We compared CS monitoring data with professional data across 28 central German stream sites and could show that both CS and professional monitoring identified a similar average proportion of pesticide-sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa per stream site (20 %). CS data were highly correlated to the professional data for both stream hydromorphology and SPEARpesticides (r = 0.72 and 0.76). To assess the extent to which CS macroinvertebrate data can indicate pesticide exposure, we tested the relationship of CS generated SPEARpesticides values and measured pesticide concentrations at 21 stream sites, and found a fair correlation similar to professional results. We conclude that given appropriate training and support, citizen scientists can generate valid data on the ecological status and pesticide contamination of streams. By complementing official monitoring, data from well-managed CS programs can advance freshwater science and enhance the implementation of freshwater conservation goals.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159607
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0048-9697
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	small streams, citizen science, pesticide monitoring, data accuracy, macroinvertebrates, hydromorphology
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	01 Nov 2022 17:34 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/533468

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159607

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

0048-9697

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

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

Additional Keywords:

small streams, citizen science, pesticide monitoring, data accuracy, macroinvertebrates, hydromorphology