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Journal article
Using citizen science to bridge taxonomic discovery with education and outreach
Applications in plant sciences, v 6(2), pp e1023-n/a
01 Feb 2018
PMID: 29732254
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Biological collections are uniquely poised to inform the stewardship of life on Earth in a time of cataclysmic biodiversity loss. Efforts to fully leverage collections are impeded by a lack of trained taxonomists and a lack of interest and engagement by the public. We provide a model of a crowd-sourced data collection project that produces quality taxonomic data sets and empowers citizen scientists through real contributions to science. Entitled MicroPlants, the project is a collaboration between taxonomists, citizen science experts, and teachers and students from universities and K-12.
METHODS: We developed an online tool that allows citizen scientists to measure photographs of specimens of a hyper-diverse group of liverworts from a biodiversity hotspot.
RESULTS: Using the MicroPlants online tool, citizen scientists are generating high-quality data, with preliminary analysis indicating non-expert data can be comparable to expert data.
DISCUSSION: More than 11,000 users from both the website and kiosk versions have contributed to the data set, which is demonstrably aiding taxonomists working toward establishing conservation priorities within this group. MicroPlants provides opportunities for public participation in authentic science research. The project's educational component helps move youth toward engaging in scientific thinking and has been adopted by several universities into curriculum for both biology and non-biology majors.
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Details
- Title
- Using citizen science to bridge taxonomic discovery with education and outreach
- Creators
- Matt von Konrat - Field Museum of Natural HistoryThomas Campbell - Northeastern Illinois UniversityBen Carter - San Jose State UniversityMatthew Greif - Wilbur Wright CollegeMike Bryson - College of Arts and Sciences; Roosevelt University; Chicago Illinois 60605 USAJuan Larrain - Pontifical Catholic University of ValparaísoLaura Trouille - Adler PlanetariumSteve Cohen - College of Arts and Sciences; Roosevelt University; Chicago Illinois 60605 USAEve Gaus - Field Museum of Natural HistoryAyesha Qazi - Northside HospitalEric Ribbens - Western Illinois UniversityTatyana Livshultz - Drexel UniversityTaylor J. Walker - Hollins UniversityTomomi Suwa - Field Museum of Natural HistoryTaylor Peterson - Field Museum of Natural HistoryYarency Rodriguez - Field Museum of Natural HistoryCaitlin Vaughn - Field Museum of Natural HistoryChristina Yang - Field Museum of Natural HistorySelma Aburahmeh - Northeastern Illinois UniversityBrian Carstensen - Pontifical Catholic University of ValparaísoPeter de lange - Unitec Institute of TechnologyCharlie Delavoi - University of ConnecticutKalman Strauss - Field Museum of Natural HistoryJustyna Drag - Northeastern Illinois UniversityBlanka Aguero - Duke UniversityChris Snyder - Pontifical Catholic University of ValparaísoJoann Martinec - Field Museum of Natural HistoryArfon Smith - University of Valparaíso
- Publication Details
- Applications in plant sciences, v 6(2), pp e1023-n/a
- Publisher
- BOTANICAL SOC AMER INC
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- Biodiversity Synthesis Center of the Encyclopedia of Life Student Center for Science Engagement at Northeastern Illinois University 0949136; 1145898; 1458300; 1541545; EF-1115131; 1146168 / National Science Foundation; National Science Foundation (NSF) Museum Collection Spending Fund Internal Review Board of The Field Museum 1559779 / Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site: Evolution of Biodiversity across the Tree of Life
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000427460700003
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85043384064
- Other Identifier
- 991019167449104721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Plant Sciences