Citizen Science Case Studies

The case studies below demonstrate the data journey for specific marine citizen science projects, covering their planning, collection, processing, preservation, sharing and reuse. 

[The Seabird Monitoring Programme logo]

The Seabird Monitoring Programme

The Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP) is a citizen science initiative run by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) in partnership with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), which monitors abundance and productivity of breeding seabirds throughout the UK, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands to support the conservation of their populations. Participants count numbers of breeding seabirds, and where possible, their chicks to monitor breeding success at inland and coastal survey sites. They also record additional data on survival, diet and phenology.

[Plan image]
Plan

Citizen science activities are planned to monitor seabird abundance and productivity

  • Birds are identified by sight
  • Handbook with detailed guidance provided
  • Results are entered into the SMP Data Portal

Image attribution: British Trust for Ornithology

[Collect image]
Collect

Participants count birds, nests or territories within a defined area

  • Training events are led by BTO to cover seabird ID and ecology
  • Surveys can vary from 20 minutes to a full day, at coastal or inland sites across the UK
  • Standard recording form for colony counts and breeding success provided

Image attribution: British Trust for Ornithology

[Process image]
Process

Data are verified and checked both manually and programmatically

  • Data are checked as they are added to the SMP Online Portal
  • Quality control conducted by BTO
  • Data are standardised prior to sharing onwards to NBN

Image attribution: British Trust for Ornithology

[Preserve image]
Preserve

Data are preserved internally through a BTO database, and externally with repositories

  • Data archived with NBN and GBIF
  • Data are stored at BTO indefinitely

Image attribution: British Trust for Ornithology

[Share image]
Share

Results are shared via reports, the BTO website, the SMP Online Portal, and through direct communication with the BTO team

  • Data from the SMP are shared with the NBN and GBIF
  • Newsletter shared every spring with key updates
  • Annual report shared on the government website

Image attribution: British Trust for Ornithology

[Re-use image]
Re-use

Data are openly accessible for re-use, with clear terms of use

  • Used for site planning, offshore wind projects, site designations, academic research and to report on government indicators

Image attribution: British Trust for Ornithology

The Seabird Monitoring Programme funders