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A survey of volunteer interest in recording habitat data 2024

Abstract

Citizen science biodiversity recording schemes traditionally focus on specific taxa, with some initiatives recording habitat information to varying degrees of detail. With the growth in Earth Observation (EO) applications in recent years, there is interest in the possibility of collecting habitat information through citizen science, such that it can contribute towards the validation of EO. Increased collection of habitat data would also contribute to a broader range of conservation aims.

This project conducted a survey of current and potential citizen scientists to understand the level of interest, self-assessed confidence, barriers, and other preferences associated with recording habitat (resulting in 458 responses). The project also conducted a second survey aiming to understand the user-friendliness of a new app called EarthTrack, which has been designed by Natural Apptitude on behalf of Aberystwyth University to support citizen scientists to record habitat data, as an example to understand these factors in a practical setting (resulting in 48 responses).

A summary of the survey results accompanies the report in two annexes:

  • Annex 1 provides the survey results, including a tab for each question that was asked with a table showing the total responses for each of the multiple choice options that were provided.

  • Annex 2 provides survey results presented by scheme. This includes the same information as Annex 1, except with the answers from those who responded who currently participate in an environmental recording scheme grouped by row. Percentages are also presented to enable easier comparison between schemes.

These resources may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need copies in a different or more accessible format, please contact Communications@jncc.gov.uk.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2024·07·01

Citation
Harris, M., Chognard, S., Pocock, M. & Newton, N. 2024. A survey of volunteer interest in recording habitat data. JNCC Report 769. JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This report presents the results of a survey of current and potential citizen scientists to understand the level of interest, self-assessed confidence, barriers, and other preferences associated with recording habitat. The report authors would like to thank all those who responded to the surveys and provided feedback.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2024·07·19

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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