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1.2. Various ways to integrate citizens into Citizen Science

1.2.C. Exercise

Let's imagine...

A research team from University A works on the impact of urbanization on biodiversity and on the use of space by animals in the local city’s landscape. In terms of outcomes for society, the objective is to provide advice for land management.

These scientists have chosen as study-models two common organisms in their region: hedgehogs and birds. They capture some animals, place a GPS transponder on them and release them back on the field. This allows them to follow their movements, that they can then directly analyze thanks to a GIS software. However they would like to get more details on the habitat where the animals move and obtain further information on their behavior. This is actually quite time consuming. Below are a few examples of fictive CS projects that could be developed within this same context.

Project A. Thus, the scientists create a protocol, inviting local inhabitants to report observations of birds and hedgehogs in their gardens. People are invited to observe birds twice a year during one hour and to send the list of species they can identify. They can also report observations of hedgehogs in their gardens, completed by a short description of the environment (size of the garden, organization, presence of hedges, connection to other gardens, presence of pets…).

Project B. The research team invites local naturalists to participate in the project. These local experts on fauna are invited to give their opinion on the dataset derived from the inhabitants’ observations, and once the GIS analysis has been completed, they are also invited to workshops aimed at further analyzing the results obtained. This approach allows the scientists to detect anomalies or inconsistencies thanks to the local experts’ fine knowledge of the territory and of its biodiversity.

Project C. In the neighboring city, a group of citizens is also interested in issues related to biodiversity protection. In the absence of scientific or political initiatives to assess the effects of local urbanization policies, they constitute an NGO. They designate different working groups according to the knowledge and interests of each person. They inventory biodiversity, using their own protocols and make grid-maps reporting the absence and presence of different species in the city, according to the land use. The results are transferred to the other citizens through a dedicated website and by organizing meetings in local cafes. They start a collaboration with the local municipality as well, in order to identify the most sensitive areas for biodiversity preservation.

Project D. On the basis of such an example, the scientists of University A decide to offer the possibility to train citizens to biodiversity observation. Their aim is, ultimately, to create a group of expert citizens who may pursue the actions taken for biodiversity knowledge and preservation beyond the timeline of the research project. They offer to keep working with this citizen group in the future by providing scientific reference support, either by answering questions or providing advice.

Question: Below are a few examples of fictive CS projects that could be developed within this same context. Which of the different categories of CS do you think that they belong to? Drag and drop them to the proper location on the picture.