Citizen Science Case Studies

Method

The data are collected using iNaturalist, an app and website that allows users to easily submit records of their sightings. People can record anything they see in the bioblitz locations for the allocated time of 90 minutes. Following this, the trained volunteers and experts verify the records to ensure they reach Research Grade, and scores are allocated to each team of recorders based on the rarity of the species found. Research Grade means that the record has all the mandatory metadata required by iNaturalist (e.g. location, a clear photograph, time of the record) and that the identification of the species has been confirmed by two or more iNaturalist users. This open method allows people to form teams and work together to obtain a team score, although individual scores are also provided.