Crowdsourcing conservation: The role of citizen science in securing a future for seagrass

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

卷:134

Article

Jones, Benjamin L.^1,2  Unsworth, Richard K. F.^2,3  McKenzie, Len J.⁴  Yoshida, Rudi L.⁴  Cullen-Unsworth, Leanne C.^1,2 

[1] Cardiff Univ, Sustainable Pl Res Inst, Cardiff CF10 3BA, S Glam, Wales

[2] Project Seagrass, 33 Pk Pl, Cardiff CF10 3BA, S Glam, Wales

[3] Swansea Univ, Coll Sci, Seagrass Ecosyst Res Grp, Wallace Bldg, Swansea SA2 8PP, W Glam, Wales

[4] James Cook Univ, Ctr Trop Water & Aquat Ecosyst Res TropWATER, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia

关键词: Citizen science;    Community engagement;    Seagrass conservation;    Seagrass research;    Seagrass;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.005

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Seagrass meadows are complex social-ecological systems. Understanding seagrass meadows demands a fresh approach integrating the human dimension. Citizen science is widely acknowledged for providing significant contributions to science, education, society and policy. Although the take up of citizen science in the marine environment has been slow, the need for such methods to fill vast information gaps is arguably great. Seagrass meadows are easy to access and provide an example of where citizen science is expanding. Technological developments have been pivotal to this, providing new opportunities for citizens to engage with seagrass. The increasing use of online tools has created opportunities to collect and submit as well as help process and analyse data. Citizen science has helped researchers integrate scientific and local knowledge and engage communities to implement conservation measures. Here we use a selection of examples to demonstrate how citizen science can secure a future for seagrass.

【 授权许可】

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