scholarly journals Mining citizen science data to explore stopover sites and spatiotemporal variation in migration patterns of the red-footed falcon

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasios Bounas ◽  
Maria Solanou ◽  
Michele Panuccio ◽  
Sanja Barišić ◽  
Taulant Bino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Migration Routes ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Yearly Variation ◽  
Migration Patterns ◽  
Species Migration ◽  
Stopover Sites ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract Citizen science data have already been used to effectively address questions regarding migration, a fundamental stage in the life history of birds. In this study, we use data from eBird and from 3 additional regional citizen science databases to describe the migration routes and timing of the red-footed falcon Falco vespertinus in the Mediterranean region across 8 years (2010–2017). We further examine the seasonal and yearly variation in migration patterns and explore sites used during the species migration. Our results suggest that the autumn passage is spatially less variable and temporally more consistent among years than in spring and that birds migrate faster in spring than in autumn. The species seems to be more prevalent along the Central Mediterranean during spring migration, probably as a result of the clockwise loop migration that red-footed falcons perform. There was a high variation in annual median migration dates for both seasons as well as in migration routes across years and seasons. Higher variation was exhibited in the longitudinal component thus indicating flexibility in migration routes. In addition, our results showed the species’ preference for lowlands covered with cropland and mosaics of cropland and natural vegetation as stopover sites during migration. Stopover areas predicted from our distribution modeling highlight the importance of the Mediterranean islands as stopover sites for sea-crossing raptors, such as the red-footed falcon. This study is the first to provide a broad-scale spatiotemporal perspective on the species migration across seasons, years and flyways and demonstrates how citizen science data can inform future monitoring and conservation strategies.

scholarly journals Unfolding Jellyfish Bloom Dynamics along the Mediterranean Basin by Transnational Citizen Science Initiatives

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 274
Author(s):  
Macarena Marambio ◽  
Antonio Canepa ◽  
Laura Lòpez ◽  
Aldo Adam Gauci ◽  
Sonia K. M. Gueroun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Jellyfish Bloom ◽  
Blue Growth ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Collaborative Implementation

Science is addressing global societal challenges, and due to limitations in research financing, scientists are turning to the public at large to jointly tackle specific environmental issues. Citizens are therefore increasingly involved in monitoring programs, appointed as citizen scientists with potential to delivering key data at near to no cost to address environmental challenges, therein fostering scientific knowledge and advising policy- and decision-makers. One of the first and most successful examples of marine citizen science in the Mediterranean is represented by the integrative and collaborative implementation of several jellyfish-spotting campaigns in Italy, Spain, Malta, and Tunisia starting in 2009. Altogether, in terms of time coverage, geographic extent, and number of citizen records, these represent the most effective marine citizen science campaigns thus far implemented in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, we analyzed a collective database merging records over the above four countries, featuring more than 100,000 records containing almost 25,000 observations of jellyfish specimens collected over a period of 3 to 7 years (from 2009 to 2015) by citizen scientists participating in any of the national citizen science programs included in this analysis. Such a wide citizen science exercise demonstrates a valuable and cost-effective tool to understanding ecological drivers of jellyfish proliferation over the Western and Central Mediterranean basins, as well as a powerful contribution to developing tailored adaptation and management strategies; mitigating jellyfish impacts on human activities in coastal zones; and supporting implementation of marine spatial planning, Blue Growth, and conservation strategies.

scholarly journals Unfolding Jellyfish Bloom Dynamics Along the Mediterranean Basin by Transnational Citizen Science Initiatives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Macarena Marambio ◽  
Antonio Canepa ◽  
Laura Lopez ◽  
Adam Gauci ◽  
Sonia Gueroun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Jellyfish Bloom ◽  
Blue Growth ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Collaborative Implementation

Science is addressing global societal challenges and, due to limitations in research financing, scientists are turning to public at large to jointly tackle specific environmental issues. Citizens are therefore increasingly involved in monitoring programs, appointed as citizen scientists with potential to delivering key data at near no cost to address environmental challenges, so fostering scientific knowledge and advise policy- and decision-makers. One of the first and most successful example of marine citizen science in the Mediterranean is represented by the integrative and collaborative implementation of several jellyfish spotting campaigns in Italy, Spain, Malta, Tunisia started in 2009. Altogether, in terms of time coverage, geographic extent, and number of citizen records, these represent the most effective marine citizen science campaign so far implemented in the Mediterranean Sea. Here we analyzed a collective database merging records over the above four Countries, featuring more than 100,000 records containing almost 25,000 observations of jellyfish specimens, collected over a period of 3 to 7 years (from 2009 to 2015) by citizen scientists participating in any of the national citizen science programs included in this analysis. Such a wide citizen science exercise demonstrates to be one of the so far available most valuable and cost-effective tools to understanding ecological drivers of jellyfish proliferations over the Western and Central Mediterranean basins, and a powerful contribute to develop tailored adaptation and management strategies, mitigate jellyfish impacts on human activities in coastal zones, and support implementation of marine spatial planning, Blue Growth and conservation strategies.

scholarly journals Cetacean Research and Citizen Science in Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gilbert Mwango’mbe ◽  
Jane Spilsbury ◽  
Steve Trott ◽  
Judith Nyunja ◽  
Nina Wambiji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Pilot Whale ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Mammal Conservation ◽  
Kenyan Coast

In 2011, several non-governmental and government agencies established the Kenya Marine Mammal Network (KMMN) to provide a platform for the consistent collection of data on marine mammals along the Kenyan coast, identify areas of importance and engage marine users and the general public in marine mammal conservation. Prior to the KMMN, relatively little was known about marine mammals in Kenya, limiting conservation strategies. The KMMN collects data nationwide through dedicated surveys, opportunistic sightings and participative citizen science, currently involving more than 100 contributors. This paper reviews data on sightings and strandings for small cetaceans in Kenya collated by the KMMN. From 2011 to 2019, 792 records of 11 species of small cetaceans were documented. The most frequently reported inshore species were the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin and Indian Ocean humpback dolphin. Offshore species, included killer whales, short-finned pilot whale and long-snouted spinner dolphin. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, long-snouted spinner dolphins, striped dolphins and Risso’s dolphins were recorded through stranding reports. The efforts of the KMMN were disseminated through international meetings (International Whaling Commission, World Marine Mammal Conference), national status reports, outreach and social media. Data has also supported the identification of three IUCN Important Marine Mammal Areas and one Area of Interest in Kenya. Further research is needed to improve estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution, particularly in unstudied coastal areas, and to assess the extent of anthropogenic threats associated with fisheries, coastal and port development, seismic exercises and unregulated tourism. The expansion of the network should benefit from the participation of remote coastal fishing communities, government research agencies, tourism and seismic operations, among others. The KMMN demonstrated the value of dedicated and citizen science data to enhance marine mammal conservation strategies to boost awareness and eco-tourism and to bring the public and science closer together, promoting research and effective conservation efforts.

scholarly journals Vulnerable Forests of the Pink Sea Fan Eunicella verrucosa in the Mediterranean Sea

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Chimienti
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
New Records ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Ligurian Sea ◽  
New Finding ◽  
Commercial Value ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Sea Fan

The pink sea fan Eunicella verrucosa (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Alcyonacea) can form coral forests at mesophotic depths in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the recognized importance of these habitats, they have been scantly studied and their distribution is mostly unknown. This study reports the new finding of E. verrucosa forests in the Mediterranean Sea, and the updated distribution of this species that has been considered rare in the basin. In particular, one site off Sanremo (Ligurian Sea) was characterized by a monospecific population of E. verrucosa with 2.3 ± 0.2 colonies m−2. By combining new records, literature, and citizen science data, the species is believed to be widespread in the basin with few or isolated colonies, and 19 E. verrucosa forests were identified. The overall associated community showed how these coral forests are essential for species of conservation interest, as well as for species of high commercial value. For this reason, proper protection and management strategies are necessary.

scholarly journals Citizen-science data provides new insight into annual and seasonal variation in migration patterns

Ecosphere ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. art15 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Supp ◽  
Frank A. La Sorte ◽  
Tina A. Cormier ◽  
Marisa C.W. Lim ◽  
Donald R. Powers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Migration Patterns ◽  
Insight Into

scholarly journals Satellite tracking reveals a new migration route of black-necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9715
Author(s):  
Ye Wang ◽  
Chunrong Mi ◽  
Yumin Guo
Keyword(s):  
Spring Migration ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Autumn Migration ◽  
Migration Route ◽  
Vulnerable Species ◽  
Migration Routes ◽  
Migration Patterns ◽  
Stopover Sites ◽  
Grus Nigricollis ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Background The black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) is a vulnerable species and the only species that lives in the plateau. Five migration routes of different populations have been identified, but for cranes wintering in Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet, the migration route and breeding/summering area are still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the spatio-temporal migration patterns of black-necked cranes in this area and to identify important areas for conservation. Methods In 2016, we fitted seven black-necked cranes in Nyingchi with GPS-GSM satellite transmitters to record their migration routes. We used ArcGIS 10.2 to visualize important stopover sites and the ‘ggplot’ function in R to analyze the migration patterns. Results From March 2016 to May 2019, we recorded nine spring migration and four autumn migration tracks from five individuals. Four individuals spent the breeding/summering season in Qinghai Lake, while the other spent the breeding/summering season in the Jinzihai Wetland of Dulan County, Qinghai Province. Detailed spatio-temporal information showed that the spring migration lasted 8.7 ± 4.6 days and covered 1,182.5 ± 90.4 km, while the autumn migration lasted 30 ± 10.6 days and covered 1,455.7 ± 138 km. Basom Lake and the Shazhuyu River were the most important stopover sites during the spring and autumn migrations, respectively. The cranes spent 4.4 ± 3.7 days in Basom Lake and 26.3 ± 10.7 days in the Shazhuyu River. The black-necked cranes mainly migrated during the daytime (>85 % of the fly points), and 81 % (17/21) of all stopover and roosting sites were in the valley or at lakeside swamps. Only 17.7% (516 / 2,914) of the data points for stopover and roosting sites were in protected areas. Main conclusions Our study revealed the breeding/summering areas and migration routes of the black-necked cranes wintering in Nyingchi. These results contribute to a better understanding of the annual spatio-temporal migration patterns and the development of conservation plans for this vulnerable species.

scholarly journals Bird Satellite Tracking Revealed Critical Protection Gaps in East Asian–Australasian Flyway

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jialin Lei ◽  
Yifei Jia ◽  
Aojie Zuo ◽  
Qing Zeng ◽  
Linlu Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
East Asian ◽  
Satellite Tracking ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Migration Routes ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Stopover Site ◽  
Migratory Waterfowl ◽  
Stopover Sites ◽  
Natural Grasslands

Most migratory birds depend on stopover sites, which are essential for refueling during migration and affect their population dynamics. In the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF), however, the stopover ecology of migratory waterfowl is severely under-studied. The knowledge gaps regarding the timing, intensity and duration of stopover site usages prevent the development of effective and full annual cycle conservation strategies for migratory waterfowl in EAAF. In this study, we obtained a total of 33,493 relocations and visualized 33 completed spring migratory paths of five geese species using satellite tracking devices. We delineated 2,192,823 ha as the key stopover sites along the migration routes and found that croplands were the largest land use type within the stopover sites, followed by wetlands and natural grasslands (62.94%, 17.86% and 15.48% respectively). We further identified the conservation gaps by overlapping the stopover sites with the World Database on Protected Areas (PA). The results showed that only 15.63% (or 342,757 ha) of the stopover sites are covered by the current PA network. Our findings fulfil some key knowledge gaps for the conservation of the migratory waterbirds along the EAAF, thus enabling an integrative conservation strategy for migratory water birds in the flyway.

scholarly journals Scent of Jasmine Attracts Alien Invaders and Records on Citizen Science Platforms: Multiple Introductions of the Invasive Lacebug Corythauma ayyari (Drake, 1933) (Heteroptera: Tingidae) in Italy and the Mediterranean Basin

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 620
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Mazza ◽  
Luca Nerva ◽  
Agostino Strangi ◽  
Emiliano Mori ◽  
Walter Chitarra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Multiple Introductions ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Unique Clade ◽  
Biodiversity Information ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

The jasmine lacebug Corythauma ayyari is a pest of cultivated and ornamental plants mainly associated to Jasminum spp. This invasive insect is native to Asia, and it has been recently introduced in several countries, mainly within the Mediterranean basin. Here, we updated the known distribution of this species, including five new Italian regions (Liguria, Tuscany, Latium, Apulia, and Calabria); Salamis Island in Greece, and the Occitanie region in France. Citizen-science data have significantly contributed to the knowledge on species distribution, and the online platform for sharing biodiversity information can represent an effective tool for the early detection. Molecular analyses revealed that the specimens collected in Peninsular Italy and Sicily belong to a unique clade, suggesting the possibility of a single introduction, whereas those from Menton (France) and Calabria (Southern Italy) are separated from the others and probably originate from separated introductions.

scholarly journals Using historical and citizen science data to improve knowledge about the occurrence of the elusive sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus (Chondrichthyes – Carcharhinidae) in the Adriatic Sea

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
PATRICK L. JAMBURA ◽  
ILIJA ĆETKOVIĆ ◽  
JÜRGEN KRIWET ◽  
JULIA TÜRTSCHER
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Nursery Ground ◽  
Sandbar Shark ◽  
Carcharhinus Plumbeus ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Po River ◽  
The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Sea is an extinction hotspot for sharks, skates, and rays, with at least half of all species being threatened. The sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus is among the most threatened species and is declared endangered (EN) in the Mediterranean according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Adriatic Sea was previously proposed to be an important nursery area for this species based on sporadic sightings of neonates and juveniles. However, this species is generally considered to be rare in this region, and reports of its presence are scarce. Here, we present new records for the sandbar shark in the Adriatic Sea and review spatial and temporal data accumulated from literature, museum specimens, and citizen science initiatives in an attempt to assess the distribution and seasonality of this species. The majority of the records were from neonate and juvenile sandbar sharks, and three hotspots for their occurrence could be identified: (1) the Emilia-Romagna region, (2) the Veneto region, and (3) the Gulf of Trieste. Our data indicate a high concentration of sandbar sharks around the delta of the Po river, emphasising the need for scientific surveys in this confined area in order to confirm a possible nursery ground. Data collected by citizen science initiatives reveal that this species is still present in the Adriatic Sea and might be more abundant than previously thought, underlining the potential of citizen science as a valuable tool to monitor the distribution of rare and endangered species.

scholarly journals The Use of Citizen Science to Achieve Multivariate Management Goals on Public Lands

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 293
Author(s):  
Sara Souther ◽  
Vincent Randall ◽  
Nanebah Lyndon
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Land Management ◽  
Ecological Integrity ◽  
Public Land ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Public Land Management ◽  
Federal Land ◽  
Botanical Research ◽  
Federal Land Management

Federal land management agencies in the US are tasked with maintaining the ecological integrity of over 2 million km2 of land for myriad public uses. Citizen science, operating at the nexus of science, education, and outreach, offers unique benefits to address socio-ecological questions and problems, and thus may offer novel opportunities to support the complex mission of public land managers. Here, we use a case study of an iNaturalist program, the Tribal Nations Botanical Research Collaborative (TNBRC), to examine the use of citizen science programs in public land management. The TNBRC collected 2030 observations of 34 plant species across the project area, while offering learning opportunities for participants. Using occurrence data, we examined observational trends through time and identified five species with 50 or fewer digital observations to investigate as species of possible conservation concern. We compared predictive outcomes of habitat suitability models built using citizen science data and Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data. Models exhibited high agreement, identifying the same underlying predictors of species occurrence and, 95% of the time, identifying the same pixels as suitable habitat. Actions such as staff training on data use and interpretation could enhance integration of citizen science in Federal land management.

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