Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ruben D. Manzanedo, Aji John, Meera L. Sethi, Elli J. Theobald, Berry Brosi, Joshua Jenkins, Ava Kloss-Schmidt, Emilia Lia, Annie Schiffer, Jordana Sevigny, Anna Wilson, Yonit Yogev, Janneke Hille Ris Lambers
Summary: This study presents a long-term and high-resolution phenological dataset from 17 wildflower species, which were collected as part of the MeadoWatch community science project. The dataset is of high quality and reliability, making it suitable for ecological research.
Article
Ecology
Elaina K. Haas, Frank A. La Sorte, Hanna M. McCaslin, Maria C. T. D. Belotti, Kyle G. Horton
Summary: We found positive correlations between WSR and eBird-based estimates of migration phenology, with differences in the strength of correlations among taxonomic orders and migration flyways.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Theresa Crimmins, Ellen Denny, Erin Posthumus, Alyssa Rosemartin, Rob Croll, Melonee Montano, Hannah Panci
Summary: The USA National Phenology Network was established in 2007 to standardize phenology monitoring. The network collects, stores, and shares phenology data and information through the Nature's Notebook platform, supporting scientific discovery, decision-making, and phenology research. Participants range from backyard observers to professionals. The network's data set dimensionality is shaped by Nature's Notebook users, which is crucial for future data collection activities.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Theresa M. Crimmins, Michael A. Crimmins
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of large-scale citizen science programs to contribute to national climate and ecosystem assessments by identifying and evaluating biotic climate change indicators and generating yearly estimates of indicator status. By utilizing opportunistic data collected through a citizen science program, the researchers show how these observations can be used to understand phenological responses to local springtime temperatures. The findings highlight the importance of citizen science in monitoring and understanding environmental changes.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Roberto Ambrosini, Simona Imperio, Jacopo G. Cecere, Alessandro Andreotti, Lorenzo Serra, Fernando Spina, Niccolo Fattorini, Alessandra Costanzo
Summary: The timing of migration is crucial for understanding bird ecology and their response to climate change, as well as for conservation and management purposes. A new method using ringing data and citizen science observations was developed to assess the timing of pre- and post-nuptial migration of birds. The study on Song Thrush in Italy showed that migration starts in January in some areas and ends in November, with consistent patterns observed across different datasets.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Natalie Iwanycki Ahlstrand, Anders P. Tottrup
Summary: Citizen science provides great benefits in enhancing public knowledge and understanding of science, but there is a lack of diversity in the participants. To realize the full potential of citizen science projects, a wider social demographic should be engaged. This article presents a nationwide approach in Denmark to target and engage residents who previously had no connection or interest in nature. Through a cross-sectoral partnership and various activities, including a new citizen science project, the approach successfully reached and increased knowledge about Danish nature for a significant portion of the Danish population.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
James P. Michielini, Erik B. Dopman, Elizabeth E. Crone
Summary: The study used 27 years of citizen science monitoring data to quantify trends in butterfly phenology and relative abundance, finding that elongated activity periods within a year may be a key factor in increasing abundance. Some species appear to be adding a late-season generation, while others appear to be adding a spring generation, indicating a possible shift from vagrant to resident.
Article
Entomology
Marcel Koken, Jose Ramon Guzman-Alvarez, Diego Gil-Tapetado, Miguel Angel Romo Bedate, Genevieve Laurent, Lucas Ezequiel Rubio, Segimon Rovira Comas, Nicole Wolffler, Fabien Verfaillie, Raphael De Cock
Summary: This article describes the spreading of a South American firefly in Europe and the research conducted on this species through citizen science platforms. The species is expanding quickly, at a rate of about 10 km per year, and was observed in France in 2020. The study reveals the potentially invasive nature of this species and its potential impact on European ecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cristina Domingo-Marimon, Joan Maso, Ester Prat, Alaitz Zabala, Ivette Serral, Meritxell Batalla, Miquel Ninyerola, Jordi Cristobal
Summary: Phenology observations are crucial for understanding the local impacts of climate change. Citizen participation can provide high-quality data at a detailed level. This study proposes an approach to overcome limitations in citizen science, improving guidance and expanding observation sites to monitor climate change. The approach was successfully tested and implemented, identifying thousands of new regions of interest and collecting significant observations.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simon Etter, Barbara Strobl, Jan Seibert, H. J. (Ilja) van Meerveld, Kai Niebert, Kristine F. Stepenuck
Summary: The motivations of participants in two environment-focused citizen science projects were investigated using an online questionnaire. The motivations for engaging in the projects were similar, with participants showing altruistic and principle-based motivations. The main reasons for participation were to contribute to science, have an interest in the project topic, and protect nature.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Michael W. Belitz, Vijay Barve, Joshua R. Doby, Maggie M. Hantak, Elise A. Larsen, Daijiang Li, Jessica A. Oswald, Neeka Sewnath, Mitchell Walters, Narayani Barve, Kamala Earl, Nicholas Gardner, Robert P. Guralnick, Brian J. Stucky
Summary: This study utilized community-science and museum specimen data to investigate the effects of climate and urbanization on adult insect activity timing. Results showed that detritivores and species with aquatic larval stages extended their activity periods most rapidly in response to increasing regional temperature, while species with subterranean larval stages maintained relatively constant durations. Additionally, species extended their adult activity period similarly in warmer conditions regardless of voltinism classification.
Article
Plant Sciences
Negin Katal, Michael Rzanny, Patrick Maeder, Christine Roemermann, Hans Christian Wittich, David Boho, Talie Musavi, Jana Waeldchen
Summary: Plant phenology monitoring can benefit from incorporating opportunistic plant observations, as demonstrated in this study. The patterns of onset of flowering were found to be similar and comparable between opportunistic plant observations and traditional monitoring methods for frequently observed species. Furthermore, there is potential to expand the range of monitored species for phenological stage assessment through opportunistic plant observation data.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Lala Hajibayova, L. P. Coladangelo, Heather A. Soyka
Summary: This study contributes to understanding citizen science by examining collaborative scientific communication and methods as a key component of theoretically driven projects. The findings demonstrate the application of diverse research methodologies to explore individual participation in science projects, including incentives and motivation. Citizen science research primarily focuses on natural and behavioral sciences, such as environmentalism, climate change, and motivations for becoming citizen scientists.
Article
Remote Sensing
Logan M. Purdy, Zihaohan Sang, Elisabeth Beaubien, Andreas Hamann
Summary: Vegetation phenology indices derived from multispectral remote sensing data can be used to estimate primary productivity, track climate change impacts, and predict fire seasons. However, accuracy may be compromised by snow and water effects, different vegetation types, and parameter choices. This study compares remotely sensed green-up dates with ground observations and finds that MCD12Q2-EVI2 has the highest precision and least bias, representing a significant improvement over previous phenology products.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Thomas L. Anderson, Jacob J. Burkhart, Jon M. Davenport
Summary: The study reveals that density dependence can impact size-structured interactions among larval salamanders, with earlier-arriving species negatively affecting later-arriving species through predation and competition. Density-dependent effects reinforce asymmetric interactions among larval salamanders, with the intensity of the interactions also mediated by the arrival time and size of conspecifics.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nicole Shumway, Megan Saunders, Sam Nicol, Richard A. Fuller, Noam Ben-Moshe, Takuya Iwamura, Sun W. Kim, Nicholas J. Murray, James E. M. Watson, Martine Maron
Summary: Biodiversity offsets aim to counterbalance the impacts of development on species and ecosystems. The effectiveness of spatially flexible offsets, located further from the impact area, in achieving no net loss or better ecological outcomes compared to local offsets is uncertain. In the case study of migratory shorebirds, there were insufficient data to draw robust conclusions about the effectiveness and equivalence of distant habitat-based offsets. The potential benefits of spatially flexible offsets need to be evaluated against the increased risks to ensure effective offset placement.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Da-Li Lin, Jerome Chie-Jen Ko, Tatsuya Amano, Cheng-Te Hsu, Richard A. Fuller, Martine Maron, Meng-Wen Fan, Scott Pursner, Tsai-Yu Wu, Shih-Hung Wu, Wan-Jyun Chen, Elisa Bayraktarov, Taej Mundkur, Ruey-Shing Lin, Tzung-Su Ding, Yung-Jaan Lee, Pei-Fen Lee
Summary: This study models the population trajectories of 107 breeding bird species in Taiwan and develops multi-species indicators for forest, farmland, and introduced bird species. The results show that most species did not show significant changes, but some forest and farmland species declined rapidly. Additionally, the introduced species indicator grew more rapidly than native species indicators, posing a risk to native bird communities and ecosystem integrity.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Da-Li Lin, Martine Maron, Tatsuya Amano, An-Yu Chang, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Agricultural expansion poses a threat to biodiversity, and intensification of farming activities can decrease the diversity and abundance of farmland-associated species. This study developed an integrated approach using empirical data analysis and expert opinion to identify farmland-associated bird species in Taiwan. The results showed that the classifications of 104 species based on both methods were consistent, with 72.1% of the species classified consistently. The study highlights the importance of expert opinion in cases where empirical data are insufficient.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Da-Li Lin, Chih-Yi Tsai, Scott Pursner, Jung Chao, Allen Lyu, Tatsuya Amano, Martine Maron, Ruey-Shing Lin, Kun-Hai Lin, Kung-Kuo Chiang, Yung-Lun Lin, Li-Chung Lu, An-Yu Chang, Wan-Jyun Chen, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Although some countries along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway have begun reporting population trends and identifying threats to migratory waterbirds, there is still limited systematic waterbird monitoring, hindering our understanding of the overall status of waterbird populations in the flyway. To address this, data from a citizen science project in Taiwan were used to examine recent population trends of 31 migratory waterbird species. The results showed varying trends among regions and identified the impacts of local land use and habitat loss in the Yellow Sea on the decline of migratory waterbirds in Taiwanese wetlands.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chantelle M. Derez, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Although thousands of reptiles are relocated annually in Australia, there has been a lack of research on how the reptile relocation industry operates. An online questionnaire was distributed to gather information from operators who had relocated reptiles, and the results showed that there is a need for changes within the industry, including increased training and professionalism. The study also highlighted concerns about the impacts of the industry on wildlife.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, Nives Dolsak, Aseem Prakash, Taej Mundkur, Paul G. Harris, Ronald B. Mitchell, Nick Davidson, Birgita Hansen, Bradley K. Woodworth, Richard A. Fuller, Melissa Price, Nicky Petkov, Volker Mauerhofer, Tiffany H. Morrison, James E. M. Watson, Sayam U. Chowdhury, Christoph Zoeckler, Oscar Widerberg, Ding Li Yong, Daniel Klich, Vitaliy Smagol, John Piccolo, Duan Biggs
Summary: Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity rely on international cooperation, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has put recent progress at a crossroads. This invasion threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation within and beyond Russia due to isolation from the international system, halt of cooperation, and changes in policy priorities. We recommend enhancing the resilience and adaptability of the existing international governance system for biodiversity conservation, while aligning security agendas with conservation goals.
FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shawan Chowdhury, Richard A. Fuller, Sultan Ahmed, Shofiul Alam, Corey T. Callaghan, Priyanka Das, Ricardo A. Correia, Moreno Di Marco, Enrico Di Minin, Ivan Jaric, Mahzabin Muzahid Labi, Richard J. Ladle, Md. Rokonuzzaman, Uri Roll, Valerio Sbragaglia, Asma Siddika, Aletta Bonn
Summary: This study examines the importance of social media records in conservation decision-making, using Bangladesh as a case study. The results show that adding Facebook data to GBIF data improves the accuracy of conservation planning assessments and expands the scope of priority conservation areas.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
He-Bo Peng, Zhijun Ma, Eldar Rakhimberdiev, Jan A. van Gils, Phil F. Battley, Danny I. Rogers, Chi-Yeung Choi, Wei Wu, Xuesong Feng, Qiang Ma, Ning Hua, Clive Minton, Chris J. Hassell, Theunis Piersma
Summary: Loss and/or deterioration of refuelling habitats may cause population declines in migratory bird species, and there may be unequal mortality among individuals with different migration traits. Through analyzing 13 years of body mass and size data of great knots at a stopover site in the Yellow Sea, combined with observations of marked individuals along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, the study found that the annual apparent survival rates of great knots rapidly declined, with late-arriving individuals with small fuel stores exhibiting the lowest apparent survival rate. This suggests that habitat loss and/or deterioration can result in changes in the composition of migratory phenotypes at the population-level.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Ecology
Shawan Chowdhury, Michael D. Jennions, Myron P. Zalucki, Martine Maron, James E. M. Watson, Richard A. Fuller
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shawan Chowdhury, Myron P. Zalucki, Jeffrey O. Hanson, Sarin Tiatragul, David Green, James E. M. Watson, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Insects dominate the biosphere, but their populations are declining globally. Extensive conservation efforts are required to reverse this trend. Protected areas (PAs) can provide protection against extinction, but the coverage of insect species within PAs is limited. A study found that 76% of globally assessed insect species do not meet the minimum target levels of PA coverage.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, Susan Lieberman, Nives Dolsak, Aseem Prakash, Ronald Labonte, Duan Biggs, Christine Franklin, Tiffany H. Morrison, A. M. Viens, Richard A. Fuller, Raphael Aguiar, Pedro Fidelman, James E. M. Watson, Cecile Aenishaenslin, Mary Wiktorowicz
Summary: Although ideas about preventive actions for pandemics have been advanced during the COVID-19 crisis, there has been little consideration for how they can be operationalised through governance structures within the context of the wildlife trade for human consumption. However, given the acceleration of globalisation, a paradigm shift towards prevention of zoonotic spillovers is warranted as containment of outbreaks becomes unfeasible. Here, we consider the current institutional landscape for pandemic prevention in light of ongoing negotiations of a so-called pandemic treaty and how prevention of zoonotic spillovers from the wildlife trade for human consumption could be incorporated.
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaolin Zhang, Xiaobin Jin, Richard A. Fuller, Xinyuan Liang, Yeting Fan, Yinkang Zhou
Summary: This study utilizes modern portfolio theory to optimize land management practices and enhance ecosystem services. By balancing different types of ecosystem services, it is possible to simultaneously increase agricultural production service and nature-related ecosystem services. However, there is a trade-off between gaining certain ecosystem service benefits and creating risks for other services.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Camilo Ordonez Barona, Cherese Sonkkila, Jessica M. Baumann, Caragh G. Threlfall, Dieter F. Hochuli, Richard A. Fuller, Melanie Davern, Stephen J. Livesley
Summary: Urban nature management should consider the needs of diverse cultural communities and understand different cultural identities' perceptions of urban nature. This study found that non-Australian-born individuals valued treed sites and trees more, while those who spoke a language other than English rated them lower. Additionally, non-English speakers and some language minority respondents associated psychological themes with treed sites more than other respondents. These differences can be attributed to other factors such as nature relatedness, knowledge of trees, exposure to trees, demographics, and site type.
ECOLOGY AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Correction
Ornithology
Zhijun Ma, Chi-Yeung Choi, Xiaojing Gan, Jing Li, Yang Liu, David S. Melville, Tong Mu, Theunis Piersma, Zhengwang Zhang
Article
Ornithology
Zhijun Ma, Chi-Yeung Choi, Xiaojing Gan, Jing Li, Yang Liu, David S. Melville, Tong Mu, Theunis Piersma, Zhengwang Zhang
Summary: This article reviews the conservation measures taken to protect waterbirds in China's coastal wetlands and provides recommendations for future actions. While progress has been made with the implementation of conservation legislation and regulations, there are still critical issues related to habitat conservation and management. Protecting natural tidal wetlands and improving habitat quality are emphasized as crucial for the conservation of coastal waterbirds.