Crowdsourcing conservation: The role of citizen science in securing a future for seagrass. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jones, Benjamin L.; Unsworth, Richard K.F.; McKenzie, Len J.; Yoshida, Rudi L.; Cullen-Unsworth, Leanne C.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 134(2018)
• Page Start: 210
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Citizen science -- Community engagement -- Seagrass conservation -- Seagrass research -- Seagrass; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: 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.