Citizen Science unites the strengths of big data and civic participation to better the scientific method. As the name suggests, citizen science involves local people in the steps of collecting and uploading data on conservation projects usually by means of a mobile application or data cloud storage.
Scientists then can analyze and assess the citizen recorded data, which is more timely and of a large quantity, and thereby improve the accuracy of their research.
Needs:
Improved quality and quantity of data reflecting conservation efforts and impact on local people’s livelihood development.
Approach:
Instruct local people on citizen science methodologies and analyze results of data collected.
Simultaneously improve the quality of data on conservation progress and involve local people in conservation efforts with an end goal of giving more accurate and science-based conservation policy recommendations.
Conducted first scoping research in Sanjiangyuan in 2016, that demonstrated how climate change is impacting local livelihoods.
TBC
Partner: Chongqing Southwest University; Notre Dame – GAIN
Duration: 2016 – present
Location: Sanjiangyuan, China, USA
Donor: TBC