Improving sustainability of long-term amphibian monitoring: The value of collaboration and community science for indicator species management

Indicator species approaches are widely used in conservation as a shortcut to measuring attributes of species and ecosystems. A variety of indicator species concepts are in use and are applicable to a range of situations. Indicator species are increasingly being used in environmental reporting to evaluate trends in environmental attributes quantitatively. We use the most recent State of the Environment report from New Zealand as a case study to evaluate: (1) how indicator species concepts are being applied to environmental reporting and (2) the selection of individual species as indicators. At present indicator species used in environmental reporting in New Zealand reflect biases in national monitoring data towards forest-dwelling, terrestrial vertebrates that are vulnerable to predation by introduced mammals. Scientific literature generally supports links between selected taxa and the aspect of ecosystem health they are purported to indicate, but their roles as long-term indicators of environmental health have yet to be evaluated. A primary goal of State of the Environment reporting is to set a benchmark against which environmental outcomes can be monitored over time; thus it is recognized that taxa reported should represent a broader range of environmental attributes. However, selection of taxa for environmental reporting is severely constrained by limited national species monitoring data. A strategic approach to national measurement, storage and analysis of long-term monitoring data is required to support selection of representative species for environmental reporting. We support current initiatives to select taxa for future measurement and reporting in an objective, transparent manner and recommend that they encompass representation of: (1) taxonomic diversity, (2) ecosystem types, (3) key environmental pressures and (4) threat status.

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With a Spirit that Understands: Reflections on a Long‐term Community Science Initiative to End Suicide in Alaska

American Journal of Community Psychology ◽

10.1002/ajcp.12356 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 64 (1-2) ◽

pp. 34-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Stacy M. Rasmus ◽

Billy Charles ◽

Simeon John ◽

James Allen

Keyword(s):

Community Science ◽

Science Initiative

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Identifying indicator species of elevation: Comparing the utility of woody plants, ants and moths for long-term monitoring

Austral Ecology ◽

10.1111/aec.12291 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 179-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Akihiro Nakamura ◽

Chris J. Burwell ◽

Louise A. Ashton ◽

Melinda J. Laidlaw ◽

Masatoshi Katabuchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Indicator Species ◽

Woody Plants ◽

Long Term Monitoring ◽

Term Monitoring

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Long-term changes in lowland calcareous grassland plots using Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. integrifolia as an indicator species

Plant Ecology ◽

10.1007/s11258-017-0767-1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 218 (11-12) ◽

pp. 1269-1281 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

P. A. Stroh ◽

O. L. Pescott ◽

J. O. Mountford

Keyword(s):

Indicator Species ◽

Calcareous Grassland ◽

Long Term Changes

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Seedbank and Emerged Weed Communities Following Adoption of Glyphosate-Resistant Crops in a Long-Term Tillage and Rotation Study

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-08-147.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 57 (3) ◽

pp. 261-270 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Lynn M. Sosnoskie ◽

Catherine P. Herms ◽

John Cardina ◽

Theodore M. Webster

Keyword(s):

Community Composition ◽

Indicator Species ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Management Program ◽

No Tillage ◽

Weed Species ◽

Continuous Corn ◽

Weed Communities ◽

Rotation Study

The compositions of the germinable weed seedbank and aboveground weed communities in a long-term tillage and rotation study were characterized 4, 5, and 6 yr (2002 to 2004) after the adoption of glyphosate-tolerant corn and soybean. Averaged across rotation, mean germinable weed seed density and diversity were greatest in the no-tillage treatment as compared to the minimum- and conventional-tillage treatments. Averaged over tillage, density and diversity were greater in the corn–oat–hay (ryegrass + alfalfa) system as compared to the continuous corn and corn–soybean rotations. Similar trends in density and diversity were observed for the aboveground weed communities. Differences in community composition among treatments were quantified with the use of a multiresponse permutation procedure. Results indicated that the weed seedbank community in a corn–oat–hay rotational system differed from the communities associated with the continuous corn and corn–soybean rotational systems. Weed seedbank communities developing under a no-tillage operation differed from those in minimum- and conventional-tillage scenarios. Compositional differences among the aboveground weed communities were less pronounced in response to tillage and rotation. Indicator species analyses indicated that the number of significant indicator weed species was generally higher for no tillage than minimum or conventional tillage for both the seedbank and the aboveground weed communities. The number of significant indicator species for the seedbank and weed communities was generally greater in the three-crop rotation as compared to the continuous corn and corn–soybean rotations. The trends observed in density, diversity, and community composition after the adoption of glyphosate-tolerant corn and soybeans, and a glyphosate-dominated weed management program, were also observed when soil-applied herbicides were included in the study. We suggest that the switch to a POST-glyphosate protocol did not significantly alter weed communities in the short term in this study.

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FIVE DECADES OF DECLINE FOR OLD-GROWTH INDICATOR LICHENS IN SCOTLAND

Edinburgh Journal of Botany ◽

10.1017/s0960428619000088 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 (3) ◽

pp. 319-331

Author(s):

C. J. Ellis ◽

B. J. Coppins

Keyword(s):

Indicator Species ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Isolated Populations ◽

Old Growth ◽

Recorded Data ◽

Rate Of Decline ◽

Biodiversity Information ◽

Growth Indicator

Systematic data collection for direct statistical analysis of biodiversity trends tends to be focused on charismatic fauna and flora such as birds or vascular plants. When subsequently applied by conservation agencies in summary metrics tracking habitat and species protection, these patterns in biodiversity loss or gain can fail to capture outcomes for groups that have a prominent importance in habitat composition, diversity and ecological function, such as algae, bryophytes, lichens and other fungi. Such species are primarily recorded on an ad hoc basis by taxonomic specialists, yielding noisy data that present problems in robustly identifying trends. This study explored the use of ad hoc field-recorded data as a potential source of biodiversity information, by comparing the pattern of recording for carefully selected indicator species with those for benchmark or control species as a proxy for recording effort. Focusing on Scotland’s internationally important epiphytic lichens, and especially ‘old-growth’ indicator species, British Lichen Society data revealed a decline in the extent of these species in Scotland, relative to recording effort, over a period of five decades. A recent slowing in the rate of decline is observed but remains to be confirmed. The long-term decline is consistent with the effect of land use intensification, resulting in small and isolated populations that are vulnerable to extinction debt. We caution that remedial protection and monitoring for such populations remains vital as a complement to Scotland’s larger scale ambition for increased woodland extent and connectivity.

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Herpetofaunal diversity of West Bali National Park, Indonesia with identification of indicator species for long-term monitoring

Global Ecology and Conservation ◽

10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01638 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. e01638

Author(s):

A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe ◽

Chairunas A. Putra ◽

Sujan M. Henkanaththegedara ◽

Asri A. Dwiyahreni ◽

Nurul L. Winarni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Indicator Species ◽

National Park ◽

Long Term Monitoring ◽

Term Monitoring

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Citizen Science Across a Spectrum: Building Partnerships to Broaden the Impact of Citizen Science

Science & Technology Studies ◽

10.23987/sts.60419 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 24-33

Author(s):

Shannon Dosemagen ◽

Alison Parker

Keyword(s):

Environmental Protection ◽

Citizen Science ◽

Source Identification ◽

Local Governments ◽

Federal Agencies ◽

Enforcement Action ◽

Wide Range ◽

Community Science ◽

The Impact

Environmental protection as a movement is broadening to both invite and require the participation and energy of everyone, including federal agencies, local governments, activists, and enthusiasts. Citizen science and community science, approaches rooted in non-traditional partnerships and diverse participation, are a strong approach to science, and they are especially strong approaches to a wide range of outcomes with direct impacts on the protection of the environment, from civic engagement all the way to enforcement action. There is evidence that institutions and agencies are moving towards more inclusive visions of their missions, and citizen and community scientists are motivated to engage. We propose a spectrum of engagement that defines opportunities for citizen science and community science beyond the participation of volunteers in institution-driven or scientist-driven research; we also provide examples of projects and efforts that have led to outcomes for each of the spectrum categories. We argue that the impact of citizen science and community science can be strengthened through the recognition of a wide range of partnership structures, including long-term community documentation, community pattern identification, community problem source identification, and advocacy to community. Citizen science and community science represent a more inclusive version of science, and provide a model for embracing truly collaborative environmental protection, as well.

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4-H youth advance biosecurity at home and in their communities

California Agriculture ◽

10.3733/ca.2021a0007 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 75 (1) ◽

pp. 33-39

Author(s):

Martin H. Smith ◽

Woutrina A. Smith ◽

Cheryl L. Meehan

Keyword(s):

Disease Risk ◽

Active Role ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Animal Science ◽

Risk Education ◽

Community Science ◽

Biosecurity Practices ◽

Citizen Science Project

Youth participants in 4-H animal science projects are involved extensively with raising and exhibiting agricultural animals, often on backyard farms (Smith and Meehan 2012). Since backyard farms can serve as sources and vectors of pathogens (FAO 1999; WHO 2011), it is critical that 4-H youth take an active role in preventing the introduction and spread of economically important animal diseases. Fifteen 4-H youth from two counties in California participated in the 4-H Bio-Security Proficiencies Program, a long-term community and citizen science project focused on animal and zoonotic disease risk education and mitigation. Then, in the role of community science experts, they acted upon the risk assessments and mitigation plans they had developed to improve biosecurity practices and reduce the likelihood of disease spread on their home premises and at their local county fair. They also extended their knowledge to the broader livestock exhibition community through outreach videos.

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The Role of Community Science in Entomology

Annual Review of Entomology ◽

10.1146/annurev-ento-072121-075258 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 67 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mary M. Gardiner ◽

Helen E. Roy

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Annual Review ◽

Publication Date ◽

Data Sets ◽

Pest Monitoring ◽

The Status ◽

Control Community ◽

Patterns And Processes ◽

Community Science

Community (or citizen) science, the involvement of volunteers in scientific endeavors, has a long history. Over the past few centuries, the contributions of volunteers to our understanding of patterns and processes in entomology has been inspiring. From the collation of large-scale and long-term data sets, which have been instrumental in underpinning our knowledge of the status and trends of many insect groups, to action, including species management, whether for conservation or control, community scientists have played pivotal roles. Contributions, such as pest monitoring by farmers and species discoveries by amateur naturalists, set foundations for the research engaging entomologists today. The next decades will undoubtedly bring new approaches, tools, and technologies to underpin community science. The potential to increase inclusion within community science is providing exciting opportunities within entomology. An increase in the diversity of community scientists, alongside increasing taxonomic and geographic breadth of initiatives, will bring enormous benefits globally for people and nature. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Entomology, Volume 67 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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