Citizen Science for Coastal and Marine Conservation

About this book

In recent years, citizen science has emerged as a powerful new concept to enable the general public, students, and volunteers to become involved in scientific research. A prime example is in biodiversity conservation, where data collection and monitoring can be greatly enhanced through citizen participation. This is the first book to provide much needed guidance and case studies from marine and coastal conservation.

The novelty and rapid expansion of the field has created a demand for the discussion of key issues and the development of best practices. Citizen Science for Coastal and Marine Conservation demonstrates the utility and feasibility, as well as limitations, of using marine and coastal citizen science for conservation, and by providing critical considerations (i.e.which questions and systems are best suited for citizen science), presents recommendations for best practices for successful marine and coastal citizen science projects.

A range of case studies, for example, on monitoring of seabird populations, invasive species, plastics pollution, and the impacts of climate change, from different parts of the world, is included. Also included are discussions on engaging youth, indigenous communities, and divers and snorkelers as citizen scientists, as well as best practices on communication within citizen science, building trust with stakeholders, and informing marine policy as part of this exciting and empowering way of improving marine and coastal conservation.

Contents

Part I Introduction
Chapter 1 The Promise and Need of Citizen Science for Coastal and Marine Conservation
      John A. Cigliano and Heidi L. Ballard

Part II: The practice of marine and coastal citizen science for conservation
Chapter 2 Defining the Baseline and Tracking Change in Seabird Populations: The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST)
      Julia K Parrish, Kate Litle, Jane Dolliver, Todd Hass, Hillary Burgess, Erika Frost Charlie Wright and Timothy Jones
Chapter 3 Using citizen science to address conservation issues related to climate change and coastal systems
      Jenny A Cousins, Mark Huxham, and Debbie Winton
Chapter 4 Citizen Sentinels: The role of Citizen Scientists in Reporting and Monitoring Invasive Non-Native Species
      Jack Sewell and Jon Parr
Chapter 5 Using citizen science to study the impact of vessel traffic on marine mammal populations
      Lei Lani Stelle
Chapter 6. Marine Litter – bringing together citizen scientists from around the world
      Martin Thiel, Sunwook Hong, Jenna Jambeck, Magdalena Gatta, Daniela Honorato, Tim Kiessling, Katrin Knickmeier, and Katrin Kruse
Chapter 7 Using Citizen Science to Inform Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
      Ryan Meyer, Erin Meyer, Leila Sievanen, and Amy Freitag
Chapter 8 Engagement in Marine Conservation through Citizen Science: A Community-Based Approach to Eelgrass Restoration in Frenchman Bay, Maine, USA
      Jane E. Disney, Emma Fox, Anna Farrell, Carrie LeDuc, and Duncan Bailey
Chapter 9 Citizen Science and Marine Policy
      Bryony L Townhill and Kieran Hyder

Part III: The People and Perspectives of Marine and Coastal Citizen Science: Diverse Interests, Needs, and Benefits
Chapter 10 Collaborating with indigenous citizen scientists towards sustainable coral reef management in a changing world: the One People One Reef Program
      Nicole L. Crane, John Rulmal, Jr., Peter Nelson, Michelle Paddack and Giacomo Bernardi
Chapter 11 Engaging Youth and Schools in Coastal Citizen Science: Balancing Both Education and Science Goals
      Ann Wasser
Chapter 12. Uniquely marine: snorkelers and divers as citizen scientists
      John A. Cigliano and April D. Ridlon

Part IV Conclusions - Lessons Learned and Best Practices for marine and coastal conservation citizen science
Chapter 13 Communication and Trust-Building with the Broader Public through Marine and Coastal Citizen Science
      Edd Hind, Greta T. Pecl and Christine A. Ward-Paige
Chapter 14 Conclusions: Lessons Learned and Next Steps for Citizen Science in Marine and Coastal Conservation
      Heidi L. Ballard and John A. Cigliano

Customer Reviews

Biography

John A. Cigliano is Professor of Biology and Director of Environmental Conservation in the Department of Biological Sciences, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA; adjunct faculty at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Winter Harbor, Maine, USA; and an Earthwatch Institute Principal Investigator. He collaborates with citizen scientists to study the effects of ocean acidification and warming on temperate rocky-intertidal organisms and communities. John is currently the Past President of the Marine Section, the Vice President of the Participatory and Citizen Science Working Group, both of the Society for Conservation Biology, and a founding member of the Citizen Science Association.

Heidi L. Ballard is Associate Professor of Environmental Science Education and Faculty Director of the Center for Community and Citizen Science at the University of California, Davis, USA. She leads research on what and how adults and youth learn about science, the environment, and their communities through participation in citizen science and community science. She is on the Editorial Board of Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, and a member of several professional societies' working groups focused on citizen science. She has collaborated with numerous citizen and community science projects internationally to help improve design and evaluation of their programs.