Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science (Alien-CSI)

2018; Pensoft Publishers; Volume: 4; Linguagem: Inglês

10.3897/rio.4.e31412

2367-7163

Helen E. Roy, Quentin Groom, Tim Adriaens, Gaia Agnello, Marina Antić, Anne‐Sophie Archambeau, Sven Bacher, Aletta Bonn, Peter Brown, Giuseppe Brundu, Bernat Claramunt López, Michelle Cleary, Dan Cogălniceanu, Maarten de Groot, Tiago De Sousa, Alan Deidun, Franz Essl, Živa Fišer, Anna Gazda, Eugenio Gervasini, Milka Glavendekić, Guillaume Gigot, Sven D. Jelaska, Jonathan M. Jeschke, Dariusz Kamiński, Paraskevi K. Karachle, Tamás Kőmíves, Katharina Lapin, Frances Lucy, Elizabete Marchante, D. Marisavljević, Riho Marja, Laura Martín-Torrijos, Angeliki F. Martinou, Dinka Matošević, Clare Marie Mifsud, Jurga Motiejūnaitė, Henn Ojaveer, Nataša Pasalic, Ladislav Pekárik, Esra Per, Jan Pergl, Vladimir Pešić, Michael J. O. Pocock, Luís Reino, Christian Ries, Laurenţiu Rozyłowicz, Sven Schade, Snorri Th. Sigurdsson, Ofer Steinitz, Nir Stern, Aco Teofilovski, Jóhann Þórsson, R. Tomov, Elena Tricarico, Teodora Trichkova, Konstantinos Tsiamis, J.L.C.H. van Valkenburg, Noel Vella, Laura Verbrugge, Gábor Vétek, Cristina Villaverde, Johanna Witzell, Argyro Zenetos, Ana Cristina Cardoso,

Animal and Plant Science Education

There is no sign of saturation in accumulation of alien species (AS) introductions worldwide, additionally the rate of spread for some species has also been shown to be increasing. However, the challenges of gathering information on AS are recognized. Recent developments in citizen science (CS) provide an opportunity to improve data flow and knowledge on AS while ensuring effective and high quality societal engagement with the issue of IAS (Invasive Alien Species). Advances in technology, particularly on-line recording and smartphone apps, along with the development of social media, have revolutionized CS and increased connectivity while new and innovative analysis techniques are emerging to ensure appropriate management, visualization, interpretation and use and sharing of the data. In early July 2018 we launched a European CO-operation in Science and Technology (COST) Action to address multidisciplinary research questions in relation to developing and implementing CS, advancing scientific understanding of AS dynamics while informing decision-making specifically implementation of technical requirements of relevant legislation such as the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on IAS. It will also support the EU biodiversity goals and embedding science within society. The Action will explore and document approaches to establishing a European-wide CS AS network. It will embrace relevant innovations for data gathering and reporting to support the implementation of monitoring and surveillance measures, while ensuring benefits for society and citizens, through an AS CS European network. The Action will, therefore, increase levels of participation and quality of engagement with current CS initiatives, ensuring and evaluating educational value, and improve the value outcomes for potential users including citizens, scientists, alien species managers, policy-makers, local authorities, industry and other stakeholders.