Sarah FaulwetterHellenic Centre for Marine Research
Pilot citizen science project initiated under the EU project
ViBRANT
Scope: Record coastal (fish) biodiversity
Target group: divers and snorkellers
Where & when: Greece (mainly Crete), 2011–2012
Concept
Train interested persons in identifying coastal fish
Offer an easy-to use website to record the data (Drupal)
Analyse how useful the data are for scientific analyses
Concept
Train interested persons in identifying coastal fish
Offer an easy-to use website to record the data (Drupal)
Analyse how useful the data are for scientific analyses
Benefits for divers
Learn more about nature
Create scientific knowledge
Acknowledgement in scientific publications
Get in contact with other divers and natural scientists
Get the BIOWATCH fishcard for free
Year 1
Seminars in dive schools by HCMR scientists
Guided dives (underwater training)
Data collection
Questionnaire
Year 1
very abundant rare common
http://www.comber.hcmr.gr
Year 1 - results
48 users from 10 countries20 users with >1 dive1,879 observations95 dives / snorkelling trips9 locations
Experienced divers: more efficient in recording
Positive feedback from questionnaires, willingness to continue but lack of motivation
Year 1 - results
48 users from 10 countries20 users with >1 dive1,879 observations95 dives / snorkelling trips9 locations
Experienced divers: more efficient in recording
Positive feedback from questionnaires, willingness to continue but lack of motivation
2 main user groups:
● Young, local, divers or biology students
● >35 years, tourists, male, academic but no biologists
Lessons learned
Time-consuming for HCMR staff
Entering data online on-the-spot difficult
Conflicts with schedule of dive centres
Heterogeneous user groups with different skills
Year 2 - results
93 users –> almost doubled3732 observations –> doubled274 dives / snorkelling trips –> tripled~20 locations –> doubled
Time-consuming for HCMR staff
Data gathering difficult
Low participation through dive schools
Tours in Cretaquarium successful
Year 2 - results
93 users –> almost doubled3732 observations –> doubled274 dives / snorkelling trips –> tripled~20 locations –> doubled
Time-consuming for HCMR staff
Data gathering difficult
Low participation through dive schools
Tours in Cretaquarium successful
Top-down approach
Year 2 - results
93 users –> almost doubled3732 observations –> doubled274 dives / snorkelling trips –> tripled~20 locations –> doubled
Time-consuming for HCMR staff
Data gathering difficult
Low participation through dive schools
Tours in Cretaquarium successful
Top-down approach
Plans
Community-driven approach – redefine target group
HCMR provides software & guidance
Include all taxa – use Scratchpads
Increase “citizen science awareness” in Greece
Quality control of data, data analyses
Conclusions
Successful as a pilot project
Next: transition from BioBlitz-style to independent, community-driven project
Conclusions
To continue:
Know your target groupDefine your approach
Respond to the “market”
Successful as a pilot project
Next: transition from BioBlitz-style to independent, community-driven project