TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessing quality of contributions to avian monitoring by non-scientists
T2 - a case study on individually banded wild birds
AU - Puehringer-Sturmayr, Verena
AU - Rittenschober, Julia
AU - Gegendorfer, Gudrun
AU - Kleindorfer, Sonia
AU - Frigerio, Didone
N1 - Funding Information:
We gratefully acknowledge C Steinbacher for valuable field assistance and preliminary supervision of the digital data collection; P Hummer (Spotteron) for the permanent and constructive support with regard to the digital data collection; B Lankamier and the staff of the Cumberland Wildpark Grünau im Almtal for the willingness and engagement to build up a long-term cooperation. Our deep appreciation goes to the app-users for their valuable contribution to research: Alexander Wiesinger; Alma Nussbacher; Almdonald; Andreas Bartl; Anna, 2c; Barbara Buchegger; BBS Rohrbach, IV b HAK; Berufsschule, 3. Klasse; BG Gmunden 3a; BG/BRG Lichte 6c; BG/BRG Lichtenfels 6a; BG/BRG Lichtenfels 6b; bggmunden1c; Brg solar city, 6 Kasse; Carlos Trilsam; Christian Hagmayr; Christof Buchegger; Citizen Science Summer School, Spotteron; Cora, 2c; DavidG; Deniz Cankaya; Elisagula20; Elitsa Popova; Ester Ganzenbacher; Fabian Leeb; FeldmethodenkursSS18; Felix Bauer; Felix H; Flo Hirti; Francesca0809; führungklf; Gamershund; GegendorferE; Georgine Szipl; GerdaFellinger; Graugans; GudrunBraun; Gym Gmunden, 3A; gymgm3c; Ha Haspip; HakGmunden; Harald Oswald; Helgari; Ines Huemer; Isomax; Johannes Steinbacher; Jürgen Poschacher; Ka vonSeiten; Katharina Buchegger; Kinderuni; Kinderuni Steyr; KinderUniOOE; KIUAlmtal; Klara Mitter; Klasse1; Klaus Kienesberger; KXXsch; Laurenz; Lena Campostrini; Lenalol; Leom Wittig; Lisa Rötzer; Livia, 6. Klasse; Lorenz Schinagl; Luan493; Ludwig Leeb; Makakihe; ManuelAchleitner; Margarita Artemis Milidakis; Maria Fuschl; Maria Kienesberger; Marlene Moser; Martina W.; Matteo Wilhelm; Merry Hemetsberger; Methodenkurs19; Michael Forintic; Michl Kutschera; Nane Steinbacher; Nellie; Niklas13; Nikolaus; Nils Holgerson; Nina Brunner; NMMSStMartinez2m; NMS Gmunden Stadt 3C; NMS Gmunden Stadt, 3A; NMS Gmunden, 1B; NMS Scharnstein, 3b; NMS SEITENSTETTEN, 3a; NMS Sierning, 1a; Nms timelkam, 1b; NMS21b; nmstimelkam1a; nmstimelkam1c; Nono1234554321; Nora Bisi; Olivia S.; P2; Pamela Leberbauer; Pamina; Paul Lidauer; PaulHubmer; Pol-Edern Le Renard; PTS Kirchdorf, P3; PTS Kirchdorf, P6; Rita Sieberer-Kefer; ROLO203; Roland Kurzmann; Sabine Hafner; Sabrina Jungheim; Sabsinehart; SimonSchnitzel; SMS Mondsee, 2d; Smsmondsee2c; Stockha; Talente19; talentekurs18; Tweety Steinmaurer; UlrikeWagner; Underground; Valentin Mittermayr; Valentin Springer; Wolfgang1; Wolve888. Likewise, we greatly appreciated the interest in and the support for our activities by the several schools involved in the analogue data collection (herewith the teachers are mentioned): Volkschule Grünau: K Hufnagl, M Lankmaier, A Merschitzka, S Schiefermair, M Wallner, R Wittmann; Volkschule Mühldorf: M Bammer, C Freund, M Hasibeder, M Holzinger, A Lasch, K Mairhofer, C Pfisterer, B Steinhäusler, K Steinkogler; Europaschule Linz: U Danninger, J Leeb, J Sternberg, R Wimberger; Volksschule Gschwandt: A Hauer, G Plasser; Hort St Florian: E Kornfeind; Volkschule 10 Wels: S Kaiblinger. Additionally, we wish to acknowledge all the anonymous participants, whose names are currently not known to us.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.
PY - 2023/5/10
Y1 - 2023/5/10
N2 - Long-term records of animal behaviour are useful sources of data for generating new testable hypotheses, though often human and financial resources limit opportunities to acquire such datasets. Citizen science can potentially fill the gap by generating win:win outcomes for science and society. In the present study, non-scientist participants (i.e. school classes and citizen scientists) joined the long-term monitoring of three avian model species (greylag goose, Anser anser; common ravens, Corvus corax; northern bald ibis, Geronticus eremita) by collecting sightings of individually marked birds. Objectives of the study were to address accuracy (in terms of correct identification of bands/species for individual birds) of the observations compiled by the participants depending on the specific tool used for data collection; compare the results obtained with analogue vs digital tools about the spatial abundances of the greylag geese; investigate potential differences in data collection depending on the species’ habits (ground-dwelling or not); and to merge both analogue and digital datasets to model spatial patterns of abundance for one of the monitored species, the greylag goose. Digital or analogue tools were used to collect data over three years. Training modules were offered before starting data collection. Data accuracy varied across focal species and tasks (range 12.5%-100% correct). Among the three monitored avian species, greylag geese (ground-dwelling) were observed the most compared to the common ravens and northern bald ibis (both aerial and/or arboreal). Furthermore, greylag geese showed differences in their abundance between locations as well as preferences for specific spatial hotspots within the study area. Spatial patterns did not differ between breeders and non-breeders. Our study underscores that participants of citizen science projects can contribute accurate behavioural data which could be used to develop a robust model of spatial patterns and abundance of the greylag goose. Involvement of non-scientist participants in research projects is expected to generate further benefits for science (management related decision) and society (enhanced knowledge and awareness of the process of scientific enquiry).
AB - Long-term records of animal behaviour are useful sources of data for generating new testable hypotheses, though often human and financial resources limit opportunities to acquire such datasets. Citizen science can potentially fill the gap by generating win:win outcomes for science and society. In the present study, non-scientist participants (i.e. school classes and citizen scientists) joined the long-term monitoring of three avian model species (greylag goose, Anser anser; common ravens, Corvus corax; northern bald ibis, Geronticus eremita) by collecting sightings of individually marked birds. Objectives of the study were to address accuracy (in terms of correct identification of bands/species for individual birds) of the observations compiled by the participants depending on the specific tool used for data collection; compare the results obtained with analogue vs digital tools about the spatial abundances of the greylag geese; investigate potential differences in data collection depending on the species’ habits (ground-dwelling or not); and to merge both analogue and digital datasets to model spatial patterns of abundance for one of the monitored species, the greylag goose. Digital or analogue tools were used to collect data over three years. Training modules were offered before starting data collection. Data accuracy varied across focal species and tasks (range 12.5%-100% correct). Among the three monitored avian species, greylag geese (ground-dwelling) were observed the most compared to the common ravens and northern bald ibis (both aerial and/or arboreal). Furthermore, greylag geese showed differences in their abundance between locations as well as preferences for specific spatial hotspots within the study area. Spatial patterns did not differ between breeders and non-breeders. Our study underscores that participants of citizen science projects can contribute accurate behavioural data which could be used to develop a robust model of spatial patterns and abundance of the greylag goose. Involvement of non-scientist participants in research projects is expected to generate further benefits for science (management related decision) and society (enhanced knowledge and awareness of the process of scientific enquiry).
KW - analogue tools
KW - animal behaviour
KW - avian science
KW - citizen scientist
KW - community science
KW - digital tools
KW - outreach
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85159182914&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1088/1748-9326/acd073
DO - 10.1088/1748-9326/acd073
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85159182914
SN - 1748-9318
VL - 18
JO - Environmental Research Letters
JF - Environmental Research Letters
IS - 6
M1 - 065001
ER -