Citizen scientists gather data on wildlife
The wildlife species about which we have little or no information far
outnumber those that are thoroughly studied and documented. Basic
population trends are missing for even some of the best-known species,
such as the Mexican spotted owl and the northern leopard frog. Better
coordination between state and federal agencies could ensure that
researchers collect enough important data on a few species rather than a
lot of scattered data on many species. But the biggest challenge to
adequate monitoring is lack of funding — and that’s where citizen
science comes in.
These efforts train volunteers to go out in the
field and collect accurate data on wildlife. The programs are generally
inexpensive, gather a lot of information by involving large numbers of
people, and foster a sense of stewardship. In the past, most citizen
science efforts focused on the more charismatic species, especially
birds. Now, more and more researchers are realizing the value of having
dedicated — and inexpensive — help with data collecting. Such
volunteer-manned projects track a wide range of wildlife species, as
shown in the following table.
