Colombian Coral Reefs Network of Volunteers Observers RENOVO

"We involve fishermen and diving operators who are everyday at coral reefs. They receive our environmental education and keep in e-contact permanently to report what they see. They trust us. As bridge of communication between the communities and top decision makers, the analysis of reports are shared with all to look for assertive solutions and decisions."

-Nohora Galvis, Observatorio Pro ArrecifesCoral (nohora.galvis@gmail.com)

Divers making a difference in caring for Moreton Bay subtropical reefs

"Subtropical reefs provide an important habitat, and proper monitoring is required for conservation. Monitoring these exposed and submerged reefs is challenging and available resources are limited. Citizen science is increasing in momentum, as an applied research tool and in the variety of monitoring approaches adopted.

This case study aims to demonstrate an ecological assessment and mapping approach that incorporates both top-down (volunteer marine scientists) and bottom-up (divers/community) engagement aspects of citizen science, applied at a subtropical reefs in, Southeast Queensland, Australia. Marine scientists train other citizen scientists in survey techniques that included mapping of habitat features, recording of substrate, fish and invertebrate composition, and quantifying impacts (e.g., occurrence of substrate damage, presence of litter). The citizen scientist conduct repetitive surveys along semi-permanent transects, at set number of sites.

The project presented is a model on how citizen science can be conducted in a marine environment through collaboration of volunteer researchers, non-researchers and local marine authorities. The broad range of data collected through this top-down/bottom-up approach to citizen science exemplifies the projects’ value and application for identifying ecosystem trends or patterns. The results of the project support natural resource and marine park management, providing a valuable contribution to existing scientific knowledge and the conservation of local reefs."

-Chris Roelfsema, University of Queensland Underwater Club

One People One Reef Project: Indigenous Citizen Scientists Lead

"The One People One Reef project began as a dialog with local communities on Ulithi Atoll, Micronesia about problems they were having accessing needed food resources from their reefs, and observed changes to the reefs. The people understood their issues well, and provided critical information about when changes were observed, and some of the key organisms that were driving change. We have been working closely with them to jointly design sampling protocols, especially for landed fish. They have collected the largest database of information from landed fish in the region.

Together we have pieced together the ecological and social drivers of change, and the local people have designed and implemented management around those findings. Their success with local science and management teams have inspired other islands to join the management and conservation efforts across the Yap outer islands."

- Nicole Crane, One People One Reef

Community monitoring of the GBR coral bleaching event

"Using traditional media, social media and online newsletters, CoralWatch aimed to increased public awareness and community participation in monitoring the 2016 global coral bleaching event that hit the Great Barrier Reef. We advertised the ease in which anyone visiting the reef could collect data on coral bleaching and contribute to our global bleaching database. Over this time period (1 Feb 2016 – 1 Jun 2016) we saw a ~63% increase in the number of requests for free Coral Health Charts via our website compared to the same time period last year. We also received 123 surveys (2660 surveyed corals) from volunteers in Queensland representing a ~199% increase from the equivalent period last year. 45% of surveys came from conservation groups, 35% from education groups and 17% from tourists. Despite the significant contribution from tourists, only 2% of surveys came from the Queensland dive industry. This highlights a huge deficit in our engagement with this key Queensland sector, especially as 28% of global CoralWatch data comes from dive centres. Dive centres play a critical role in shaping peoples’ interactions with reefs. Consequently, CoralWatch is launching a campaign to establish better partnerships with the Queensland dive industry to enhance the community’s response to future events."

-Kyra Hay, Coral Watch, QBI, The University of Queensland

Diver and Snorkeler Assistance with Coral Bleaching Surveys

"Citizen Scientist scuba divers and snorkelers assisted with pre- and post- bleaching surveys in Little Cayman in 2015. Scientific coral bleaching assessment methods were simplified with the aid of cameras and coral health color charts.

Citizen scientists received 1-2 hours of training on basic coral identifications (either common names or four-letter codes); however, photographs of surveyed corals allowed researchers to verify participant identifications during group data entry. Color charts, similar to paint swatches from home improvement stores, provided citizen scientists with an easy means of quantifying colony bleaching. Pre-bleaching surveys recorded “normal” color frequency distributions by species. Post-bleaching surveys were compared to the baseline color distributions to determine susceptibility, resilience, and resistance.

Our small groups of citizen scientists (5-10 people) increased the number of transects we could have surveyed on our own three- to five-fold thereby increasing our sample size for more meaningful results. The participants eagerly entered their own data into spreadsheets, which we had prepared in advance, with minimal oversight. Our research staff subsequently conducted the analyses and posted the results online so participants could view after they returned home."

-Kristi Foster, Central Caribbean Marine Institute (kfoster@reefresearch.org)

Working together to strengthen Reef citizen science

"Citizen science has a growing and evolving role in reef management. Yet, programs often face significant challenges to deliver sustainable and best-practice programs. In 2012, a scoping study consulted a range of stakeholders to identify critical needs and opportunities for a more coordinated approach to citizen science across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Some of the common challenges and barriers documented through this process included insufficient funding, limited staff capacity, insufficient awareness of the program by data users, and/or perceptions of the low credibility of citizen science data.

The Great Barrier Reef Citizen Science Alliance evolved as a response to this study to foster collaboration, capacity building, advancement and action for citizen science that benefits the Great Barrier Reef. Ten member groups from coastal and marine citizen science programs are actively engaged in this initiative. The program is hosted by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, with support from corporate partner Boeing.

The initiative aims to support a strategic and collaborative approach to connect citizen science providers, researchers, Reef managers and the Australian community. Initiatives facilitated through the Alliance strive to celebrate the diversity and individuality of programs, while targeting shared challenge & growth areas. To date, projects have included initiatives such as: collaborative events to boost community reach, stakeholder discussions to strengthen data linkages and applications, capacity building workshops on shared challenges, a resource library for consolidated information, and small action grants for groups to deliver a project with direct benefits for their organisation and flow-on benefits for others in the network."

-Jennifer Loder, Great Barrier Reef Citizen Science Alliance (info@greatbarrierreefcitizenscience.org.au)

Learnings from Recovery of the Great Barrier Reef project with EarthWatch and AIMS

"After multiple trips to Orpheus Island to engage volunteers in mapping the recovery of coral reefs after a major cyclone event and researching coral diseases, we have learned some important lessons about implementing and benefiting from citizen science.

Engagement of Volunteers: Volunteers have expectations for citizen science projects that may not match with the needs for the scientists. We have found that open and positive communication with the volunteers is essential. They like to know what they are doing in very clear terms and be reassured that it is a “learn on the job” process. Making them fully immersed in the data collection to feel they are making a valuable contributing is essential. Also making it fun, despite being hard work the fun element must always remain.

Ensuring Science Data Quality: To ensure high quality data you need oversight on projects to ensure the data being collected in a robust way. The best way we have found to ensure this happens is to have a good ratio of scientific personal to volunteers. This ensures that the volunteers are being trained correctly but can ask question directly and be guided to ensure things are done well. For many activities they act in support of the scientists. The volunteers want to feel that are contributing rather than just tagging along and so having appropriate but important tasks set for them is essential.

Positively influencing society outside of academia: Follow up from trips is difficult and requires attention. If we positively want to change people attitudes than it needs to be reinforced. Social media is the ideal avenue for this but requires time and some resources. It is not easy but is essential for ensuring a continued reinforcement of what the volunteers experienced on the trip.

Establishing a communication chain that links the research and citizen science activities to inform broader management and policy makers. This is probably where scientists struggle the most, as taking the science out of the field and lab and translating into useful information for managers and policy makers is difficult. How can we improve the training for scientists, the communication lines and make this process more successful?"

-David Bourne, Australian Institute of Marine Science (d.bourne@aims.gov.au)