Reliability and Long-term Monitoring Using Citizen Science

Bahamian Reef Survey, A Case Study

John Rollino,

Senior Ecologist, AECOM, Inc.Principal Investigator, Earthwatch Institute Research Team Bahamian Reef Survey

Bahamian Reef Survey

• Earthwatch Institute-Funded Research Project

• To date, longest running coral reef research project of its kind (1992-present).

• San Salvador: Pop 1,000. 24N and 74.3W. 520km East-southeast

of Miami.

Bahamian Reef Survey, cont’d

• Volunteers (local and foreign) have collected data for a peer-reviewed research for 20 years!

• Volunteers conduct seasonal monitoring on a remote island with a culture and setting very different than that of the volunteers.

• Volunteers routinely collect in excess of 5000 data points per expedition.

Cross Discipline Applicability

Cross Discipline Applicability, cont’d• Coral reefs have similar

dynamic structure to forests. Similar issues and concerns face reefs as do forests.

• Many of our data collection techniques adapted from forest ecology (e.g., macro- and micro-scale covertype, point-quarter method, etc.)

• In addition, restoration techniques are similar.

Importance of Training

• Data is only as reliable as it accuracy.

• Commitment to training will result marked increase in efficiencies.

• Excellent results have been realized when combining practical field work with classroom training.

Importance of Training, cont’d

• Bahamian Reef Survey commits at least two days to training.

• Within one full day, volunteers can discern covertypes accurately.

• Within two days, volunteers comfortable in identifying 25 individual species using taxonomic keys.

Importance of Training, cont’d

• Team building efforts key!

- First we perform studies that all can do.

- As time progresses, let volunteers self select for more challenging assignments (note you may have to self select some volunteers).

- Routinely check data, reassure volunteers of accuracy.

QA/QC

• PI should collect initial data with volunteers to lead by example.

• ENCOURAGE volunteers to ask questions, routinely remind volunteers that this is NOT a test – we are working together for 100 percent accuracy.

• PI should collect parallel data to confirm accuracy and data collection techniques.

Example of Data Comparison

Reef Covertype Volunteer Collected Data

PI Collected Data

Hard Coral 7.7% 7.2%

Algae 82.1% 84.3%

Soft Coral 5.6% 4.9%

Sand 1.3% 1.1%

Rock 2.8% 2.9%

Sponge 0.4% 0.5%

Other (e.g., tunicate, etc.) 0.1% 0.0%

N 2,031 597

Note = numbers rounded

Importance of Downtime

• Volunteers typically require down time after approximately 3 days of research.

• Down time can be accomplished by either holding a recreational event, nature walk, etc. anything to take a “mental break”.

Wrap Up

•Volunteers enjoy receiving a brief synopsis of the data they collected.

•Interest in research is furthered by providing volunteers periodic updates of subsequent findings.

Local Population and Knowledge

• Local knowledge is invaluable, often a good source of non-technical data (photographs, memory of change, etc.).

• Encourage locals to participate and utilize their efforts in data collection whenever possible.

• Locals are often keen to assist in restoration efforts.

Cost Savings

• Earthwatch volunteers and scientists volunteer their time for one week.

• Given scope of environmental degradation and ever reducing budgets, utilization of volunteers with trained scientist may become commonplace in the future.

• Costs for monitoring and restoration reduced – approx 95 percent.

Thank You