How can you use citizen science to support urban biodiversity conservation?

2 Why is citizen science important for urban biodiversity?

Urban biodiversity is often overlooked or underappreciated by urban dwellers, planners, and managers. However, urban biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining the resilience and sustainability of urban ecosystems, as well as the quality of life and well-being of urban residents. Citizen science can help bridge the gap between urban biodiversity and urban society, by providing data, information, and insights that can inform urban planning and management, as well as education and advocacy. Citizen science can also help raise awareness and appreciation of urban biodiversity among the public, and motivate them to take action for its conservation.

3 How can you use citizen science to monitor urban biodiversity?

One of the main applications of citizen science for urban biodiversity is to monitor the distribution, abundance, and trends of urban species and habitats. This can help track the status and changes of urban biodiversity over time, and identify the drivers and impacts of these changes. Citizen science can also help fill the gaps in existing data and knowledge, and complement the efforts of professional researchers and institutions. For example, you can use smartphone apps, such as iNaturalist, eBird, or Seek, to record your observations of urban wildlife and plants, and share them with a global network of citizen scientists and experts.

4 How can you use citizen science to assess urban biodiversity?

Another application of citizen science for urban biodiversity is to assess the quality, health, and value of urban ecosystems and their services. This can help evaluate the benefits and trade-offs of urban biodiversity for human well-being, and inform urban planning and management. Citizen science can also help elicit the perceptions, preferences, and values of urban residents towards urban biodiversity, and incorporate them into urban decision making. For example, you can use online surveys, such as Nature of Cities or BioCiti, to rate and map the green and blue spaces in your city, and express your opinions and feelings about them.

5 How can you use citizen science to enhance urban biodiversity?

A third application of citizen science for urban biodiversity is to enhance the conservation, restoration, and creation of urban habitats and species. This can help improve the ecological functionality and diversity of urban ecosystems, and increase their resilience and adaptability to urban stressors. Citizen science can also help engage and mobilize urban residents to take action for urban biodiversity, and foster a sense of stewardship and responsibility among them. For example, you can join or start a community-based project, such as Urban Biodiversity Hub or Habitat Network, to create or improve habitats for urban wildlife and plants in your neighborhood, and monitor their effects.

6 What are the challenges and opportunities of citizen science for urban biodiversity?

Citizen science for urban biodiversity is not without challenges and limitations. Some of the challenges include ensuring the quality, reliability, and usability of citizen science data, addressing the ethical, legal, and social issues of citizen science participation, and ensuring the sustainability, scalability, and impact of citizen science projects. However, citizen science also offers many opportunities and advantages for urban biodiversity conservation, such as increasing the quantity, diversity, and accessibility of data and knowledge, enhancing the communication, collaboration, and co-creation among stakeholders, and empowering the public to take part in and benefit from urban biodiversity.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?