Erin Roger, Andrew Turley, Callum Waite, Shandiya Balasubramaniam, Cameron Slatyer, J. Andrew Pearce
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Context
Early surveillance and the detection of incursions of species of biosecurity concern are a crucial component of an effective biosecurity system. Citizen science represents an opportunity to engage communities in biosecurity, and to provide mechanisms for citizen scientists to contribute to both monitoring the spread of species already present in country, and reporting new incursions.
Aims
To present an example of how citizen science is being used for environmental biosecurity surveillance in Australia and showcase the value of large data services such as the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), as a connector between citizen science and management.
Methods
We detail how the alert email system was set up, using a bespoke solution implemented in the R programming language. The system works by querying the ALA database for species that match lists provided by management authorities. Alerts can be sent out at national, state/territory and local government scales, as well as defined spatial areas such as national park estates.
Key results
Twelve months in, the top source for alerts comes from iNaturalist (a popular global biodiversity citizen-science platform), with other contributions from a set of biodiversity-reporting applications. Over a 12-month period, the alerts service has provided notifications for over 150 species, including the first public record of an invasive species in Australia.
Conclusions
Systems such as the Biosecurity Alerts Service, provide impact through the connection between communities and decision-making.
Implications
Our findings showed how the advancement of citizen science is interconnected with the advancement of research infrastructure and will ultimately lead to greater scientific and management value of citizen-science data.
期刊介绍:
Wildlife Research represents an international forum for the publication of research and debate on the ecology, management and conservation of wild animals in natural and modified habitats. The journal combines basic research in wildlife ecology with advances in science-based management practice. Subject areas include: applied ecology; conservation biology; ecosystem management; management of over-abundant, pest and invasive species; global change and wildlife management; diseases and their impacts on wildlife populations; human dimensions of management and conservation; assessing management outcomes; and the implications of wildlife research for policy development. Readers can expect a range of papers covering well-structured field studies, manipulative experiments, and analytical and modelling studies. All articles aim to improve the practice of wildlife management and contribute conceptual advances to our knowledge and understanding of wildlife ecology.
Wildlife Research is a vital resource for wildlife scientists, students and managers, applied ecologists, conservation biologists, environmental consultants and NGOs and government policy advisors.
Wildlife Research is published with the endorsement of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Australian Academy of Science.