Emerging technologies in citizen science and potential for insect monitoring.
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci
; 379(1904): 20230106, 2024 Jun 24.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38705194
ABSTRACT
Emerging technologies are increasingly employed in environmental citizen science projects. This integration offers benefits and opportunities for scientists and participants alike. Citizen science can support large-scale, long-term monitoring of species occurrences, behaviour and interactions. At the same time, technologies can foster participant engagement, regardless of pre-existing taxonomic expertise or experience, and permit new types of data to be collected. Yet, technologies may also create challenges by potentially increasing financial costs, necessitating technological expertise or demanding training of participants. Technology could also reduce people's direct involvement and engagement with nature. In this perspective, we discuss how current technologies have spurred an increase in citizen science projects and how the implementation of emerging technologies in citizen science may enhance scientific impact and public engagement. We show how technology can act as (i) a facilitator of current citizen science and monitoring efforts, (ii) an enabler of new research opportunities, and (iii) a transformer of science, policy and public participation, but could also become (iv) an inhibitor of participation, equity and scientific rigour. Technology is developing fast and promises to provide many exciting opportunities for citizen science and insect monitoring, but while we seize these opportunities, we must remain vigilant against potential risks. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Citizen Science
/
Insecta
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Alemania