There may be 10 times as many citizen scientists in Australia as we thought
9 hours ago
- #conservation data
- #citizen science
- #public participation
- Australia has over a million citizen scientists, far exceeding previous estimates of 100,000–130,000, as smartphones enable widespread public participation alongside professionals.
- Citizen science has historical roots, with figures like Charles Darwin and Ferdinand von Mueller using networks of amateurs for discoveries, and continues today with new species and ecosystem findings.
- It involves public collaboration in research to increase knowledge, with terms like 'community science' and 'Indigenous science' highlighting diverse, place-based knowledge systems.
- Participation ranges from reporting sightings on platforms like iNaturalist to volunteering in large projects on bushfire recovery, species monitoring, and water quality tracking.
- Citizen science data has gained trust through standardized methods and is recognized in national strategies, but receives minimal funding compared to overall science budgets.
- Citizen scientists could play a larger role in addressing climate change through local observations, emission reduction projects, and community adaptation efforts.