Doing science while having fun

Experiences from the marine citizen science project

Sarah Faulwetter, C. Arvanitidis, T. Dailianis, G. Chatzigeorgiou, E. Panteri, W. Plaiti, N. Prentiss, C. Dounas, P. Koulouri, S. Artemiou, A Vlasiou, G. Pinsoglio

citizen science

80 million

citizen science

waarnemingen.bewaarneming.nlobservado.orgartportalen.senaturgucker.de

80 million distribution records

citizen science

waarnemingen.bewaarneming.nlobservado.orgartportalen.senaturgucker.de

80 million distribution records

ca. 400 million distribution records

why involve citizens?

● lack of resources –> huge workforce

why involve citizens?

● lack of resources –> huge workforce

● specialised knowledge /skills of “amateurs”

why involve citizens?

● lack of resources –> huge workforce

● specialised knowledge /skills of “amateurs”

● outreach to society at large

why involve citizens?

● lack of resources –> huge workforce

● specialised knowledge /skills of “amateurs”

● outreach to society at large

● … because we can!

publications1993

1994

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2011

2012

2013

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Number of publications per year in Google Scholar for the search phrase biodiversity “citizen science”

http://www.comber.hcmr.gr/

implementation

● since 2011● 6 diving and sailing clubs in Greece● seminars in dive schools and cretaquarium by

scientists● guided dives (underwater training)● target taxon: fish

protocol / approach

BIOWATCH underwater fish card

protocol / approach

quantifying observations...

… using abundance classes

none few (1-3) some (4-10) many (>10)

data collection

● data entry● personal log● photo gallery● forum● reward system

● Drupal 6

data collection

incentives for participants

● learning about nature – free seminars● contribution to the expansion of knowledge● acknowledgement in scientific publications● playful elements on website (ranking system)● free fish identification card● discount rates at Cretaquarium / dive clubs

results 2011-2013

year users dives records

2011 48 95 1879

2012 93 274 3732

2013 119 345 4457

results 2011

results 2011

results 2011-2013

Lessons learned ...

… for COMBER

… for the biodiversity (informatics) community

lessons learned

successful as a pilot project, but...

lessons learned

output

effort

successful as a pilot project, but...

lessons learned

not scalable

lessons learned

top-down approach

lessons learned

top-down approach bottom-up approach

future priorities

redefine approach & target group

minimise guidance, focus on support

do not impose restrictions

top-down approach

lessons learned

inspiration

lessons learned

top-down approach

inspiration

gamesfun

lessons learned

top-down approach

lessons learned

inspiration

gamesfun

team spirit

top-down approach

lessons learned

inspiration

attributionrewards

feedback

gamesfun

team spirit

top-down approach

lessons learned

citizen science = huge potential

lessons learned

citizen science = huge potential

citizen science = huge challenge

lessons learned

citizen science = huge potential

citizen science = huge challenge

lessons learned

citizen science = huge potential

citizen science = huge challenge

lessons learned

citizen science = huge potential

citizen science = huge challenge

workforce

knowledge

lessons learned

toolsinspiration

citizen science = huge potential

citizen science = huge challenge

workforce

knowledge

lessons learned

bottom-up approach

lessons learned

databases with millions of records

bottom-up approach

lessons learned

databases with millions of records

mobilise these data

bottom-up approach

lessons learned

databases with millions of record

mobilise these data

bottom-up approach

lessons learned

tools

lessons learned

tools(software)

lessons learned

tools(software)

easy to set up & use

lessons learned

tools(software)

customisable for different projects and users

easy to set up & use

lessons learned

tools(software)

customisable for different projects and users

easy to set up & use

reward system

lessons learned

tools(software)

customisable for different projects and users

easy to set up & use

social network-like(interactions)

reward system

lessons learned

tools(software)

customisable for different projects and users

easy to set up & use

social network-like(interactions)

reward system

data entry from mobile devices

lessons learned

tools(software)

customisable for different projects and users

easy to set up & use

social network-like(interactions)

reward system

data entry from mobile devices

interoperable

lessons learned

lessons learned

citizen science module

(development version)

lessons learned

challenges

mobilise users (incentives)

mobilise data (tools)

food for thought

but we also need to think about ...

● priority areas● target users● workflows & concepts● quality control mechanisms● connecting professionals with amateurs● re-using and exchanging information● outreach

food for thought

but we also need to think about ...

● priority areas● target users● workflows & concepts● quality control mechanisms● connecting professionals with amateurs● re-using and exchanging information● outreach (“scientist in a box”)

food for thought

but we also need to think about ...

● priority areas● target users● workflows & concepts● quality control mechanisms● connecting professionals with amateurs● re-using and exchanging information● outreach (“scientist in a box”)

food for thought

but we also need to think about ...

● priority areas● target users● workflows & concepts● quality control mechanisms● connecting professionals with amateurs● re-using and exchanging information● outreach (“scientist in a box”)

… citizen science infrastructure ?