Citizen Science in Aquatic Ecosystems, open and participatory science for healthy ecosystems

ASLO 2021 Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Aquatic Sciences for a Sustainable Future: Nurturing Cooperation, 22–27 June 2021

Citizen science involves the volunteer participation of citizens in at least one of the scientist method stages (i.e., the research design, sample collection, and/or interpretation data process) together with the scientific community. The final goal is to achieve personal, community, and environmental benefits. Citizen Science creates a wide range of new opportunities for the public participation in scientific research, and complement more traditional ways of scientific data collection and knowledge generation/learning. Citizen science activities benefits include improving scientific literacy, culture and interest, increasing participants’ awareness about environmental issues, filling specific knowledge gaps, increasing interactions between scientists and the society, promoting changes in individuals' behaviors, and fostering local stewardship. In the context of the aquatic research, the interest of volunteer’s participation in scientific research and monitoring programs by both, the public and governmental agencies, is increasing. Moreover, the development of sensing technology, data processing and visualization, as well as communication of ideas and results, provides unprecedented opportunities for citizen science in the study and conservation of aquatic ecosystems. However, it is also necessary to assess the challenges of integrating citizen science into traditional scientific work applied to aquatic ecosystems. Challenges, such as the nature and quality of data collected, data acquisition methodologies, data processing, interpretation, and open use. It requires care in designing citizen science programs such the generated data complement optimally other available data to co-generate new knowledge. This session brings together worldwide citizen science projects focused on aquatic ecosystems through that the actual state of citizen science in the study and conservation of marine and freshwater ecosystems is reviewed. This brings everyone an excellent opportunity 1) to meet people involved and create work networks, 2) to discuss processes about methodology and data treatment, 3) to define good practices in the design of citizen science projects focused on aquatic ecosystems, 4) to reflect onto the role of aquatic-oriented citizen science projects within traditional scientific knowledge, and its potential as a tool for public environmental education, suitable resource management, and policy decision-making about marine and freshwater ecosystems conservation

Peer reviewed