Experimental evidence that behavioral nudges in citizen science projects can improve biodiversity data. (19th April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Callaghan, Corey T; Thompson, Maureen; Woods, Adam; Poore, Alistair G B; Bowler, Diana E; Samonte, Fabrice; Rowley, Jodi J L; Roslan, Nadiah; Kingsford, Richard T; Cornwell, William K; Major, Richard E
• Is Part Of: BioScience. Volume 73:Number 4(2023)
• Page Start: 302
• Page End: 313
• Publication Date: 2023-04-19
• Subjects: citizen science -- community science -- biodiversity monitoring -- species richness -- FrogID; Life sciences -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- United States -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology industries -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biad012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3568

Abstract

Abstract: One way to improve the value of citizen science data for a specific aim is through promoting adaptive sampling, where the marginal value of a citizen science observation is dependent on existing data collected to address a specific question. Adaptive sampling could increase sampling at places or times—using a dynamic and updateable framework—where data are expected to be most informative for a given ecological question or conservation goal. We used an experimental approach to test whether the participants in a popular Australian citizen science project—FrogID—would follow an adaptive sampling protocol aiming to maximize understanding of frog diversity. After a year, our results demonstrated that these citizen science participants were willing to adopt an adaptive sampling protocol, improving the sampling of biodiversity consistent with a specific aim. Such adaptive sampling can increase the value of citizen science data for biodiversity research and open up new avenues for citizen science project design.