A Europe-wide study has found citizen science plays a vital role in early detection of invasive non-native (alien) species, which is essential to inform rapid action to tackle their threat to biodiversity, economy and health.
It is the first research to provide robust evidence, through data, that the involvement of members of the public is crucial for early warning of damaging invasive non-native plants and animals when they spread to new areas.
The study involved 31 scientists from institutes across Europe including the University of Cordoba, INBO in Belgium and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH). It looked at 220 million records submitted to public databases in 30 European countries, investigating the time difference between the first reports of a non-native species by citizen scientists and the first official observations by scientists.
The study, published in the journal People and Nature, found:
- In half of all cases, citizens reported a non-native species as early as, or earlier than, the first sightings from professional scientists.
- Vertebrates (like mammals and birds) are more likely than plants and invertebrates to appear earlier on public platforms than official databases.
- Raising awareness makes a difference. Once observed in a neighbouring country, or with higher popularity, species are picked up more rapidly by the public. In contrast, once highlighted on lists like the EU priority list of invasive species, official reporting seems faster.
The research was carried out as part of the Alien-CSI project, an ‘Action’ funded by the EU’s COST agency and led by UKCEH. This initiative raised awareness of the threat from invasive alien species, shared knowledge among European researchers and encouraged more people to take part in biological recording.
Professor Helen Roy, who chaired Alien-CSI, and her UKCEH colleagues Dr Michael Pocock and Stephanie Rorke were among the co-authors of the latest study.
Professor Roy said: “Volunteers, including through citizen science, have made many inspiring contributions to our understanding of invasive non-native species. Mitigating the impact of invasive non-native species is achievable but urgent and bringing together experts through the COST Action Alien-CSI provided a unique opportunity to explore the ways in which citizen science is making a real difference.”
Early detection of invasive non-native species helps inform rapid, robust action by the authorities and is already encouraged by agencies in the UK. This can include introducing surveillance and biosecurity measures at sites that are potentially suitable habitats for invasive non-native species of concern, as well as action to eradicate invasive non-native species, such as the National Bee Unit’s response to yellow legged (Asian) hornets in the UK.
Dr Pocock, co-lead of the study, said: “Through this study of citizen science, we call for an integrated approach that combines both professional monitoring networks for active detection with passive monitoring by engaging the broader public. Governments can achieve this by closely collaborating with citizen science observation platforms, supporting their further development and the dataflows from them.”
Paper information
Gonzalez et al. 2024. Citizen science platforms can effectively support early detection of invasive alien species according to species traits. People and Nature. DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10767. Open access.