Open AccessExtreme citizen science: Lessons learned from initiatives around the globe
Author(s) -
Chiaravalloti Rafael Morais,
Skarlatidou Artemis,
Hoyte Simon,
Badia Marcos Moreu,
Haklay Muki,
Lewis Jerome
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
conservation science and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2578-4854
DOI - 10.1111/csp2.577
Subject(s) - maasai , citizen science , pastoralism , globe , openness to experience , environmental resource management , geography , community based conservation , environmental planning , biodiversity , biodiversity conservation , sustainable living , political science , ecology , tanzania , sustainability , livestock , environmental science , forestry , medicine , psychology , social psychology , botany , biology , ophthalmology
The participation of communities living in high conservation value areas is increasingly valued in conservation science and practice, potentially producing multiple positive impacts on both biodiversity and local people. Here, we discuss important steps for implementing a successful extreme citizen science project, based on four case studies from conservation projects with Pantaneiro fishers living in Brazilian Pantanal wetland, Baka hunter‐gatherers and Fang farmers in lowland wet forest in Cameroon, Maasai pastoralists in Kenya, and Ju|'hoansi rangers living in the semiarid deserts of Namibia. We highlight the need for a high level of trust between the target communities and project developers, communities' right to choose the data they will be collecting, and researchers' openness to include new tools that were not initially planned. By following these steps, conservation scientists can effectively create bottom‐up collaborations with those living on the frontlines of conservation through community‐led extreme citizen science.