Reliable Data From Community-Based Citizen Science for Coastal Biodiversity Research in the Taoyuan Algal Reef, Taiwan

Abstract

Citizen science is a valuable tool for large-scale ecological research, and community-based approaches enhance scientific data while fostering environmental awareness among local residents. In 2021, the Taoyuan Algal Reef in Taiwan became a national focus during a referendum, yet public understanding of its ecology remained limited. To bridge this gap, we partnered with nearby residents to conduct a coastal habitat survey using a simple, standardized data collection method. Participants received training, and even after our team concluded the project, locals continued monitoring independently using the same method. To verify the reliability of data collected with and without scientific supervision, we compared the datasets statistically using coefficients of variation. Results showed no significant differences, demonstrating that independently collected data were reliable. This enabled us to combine the datasets for further biodiversity analysis, examining organism abundance, species richness, and the Shannon index. Findings revealed that pebble habitats had the highest Shannon index, whereas sand habitats exhibited the lowest values for abundance, richness, and diversity. Organism abundance peaked in the mid tide zone, with summer and autumn showing the highest abundance, richness, and Shannon index values. Using species accumulation curves with twice the sample size, we predicted richness and Shannon index across habitats, tidal zones, and seasons. Predictions largely aligned with quadrat-scale findings, except that the sand habitat's predicted richness and diversity exceeded those of the algal reef habitat. Our research provides reliable, citizen science-based insights to deepen understanding of this region, which has been a focal point of debate in Taiwan.