Thomaes Arno, Barbalat Sylvie, Bardiani Marco, Bower Laura, Campanaro Alessandro, Fanega Sleziak Natalia, Gonçalo Soutinho João, Govaert Sanne, Harvey Deborah, Hawes Colin, Kadej Marcin, Méndez Marcos, Meriguet Bruno, Rink Markus, Rossi De Gasperis Sarah, Ruyts Sanne, Jelaska Lucija Šerić, Smit John, Smolis Adrian, Snegin Eduard, Tagliani Arianna, Vrezec Al
Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
Independent Researcher, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Insects. 2021 Sep 10;12(9):813. doi: 10.3390/insects12090813.
To address the decline in biodiversity, international cooperation in monitoring of threatened species is needed. Citizen science can play a crucial role in achieving this challenging goal, but most citizen science projects have been established at national or regional scales. Here we report on the establishment and initial findings of the European Stag Beetle Monitoring Network (ESBMN), an international network of stag beetle () monitoring schemes using the same protocol. The network, started in 2016, currently includes 14 countries (see results) but with a strong variation in output regarding the number of transects (148 successful transects in total) and transect walks (1735). We found differences across European regions in the number of stag beetles recorded, related to phenology and temperature, but not for time of transect start. Furthermore, the initial experiences of the ESBMN regarding international cooperation, citizen science approach, and drop-out of volunteers is discussed. An international standardised protocol that allows some local variation is essential for international collaboration and data management, and analysis is best performed at the international level, whereas recruiting, training, and maintaining volunteers is best organised locally. In conclusion, we appeal for more joint international citizen science-based monitoring initiatives assisting international red-listing and conservation actions.
为应对生物多样性的下降，需要在受威胁物种监测方面开展国际合作。公民科学在实现这一具有挑战性的目标中可以发挥关键作用，但大多数公民科学项目是在国家或区域层面建立的。在此，我们报告欧洲锹甲监测网络（ESBMN）的建立及初步结果，这是一个采用相同协议的锹甲（）监测计划的国际网络。该网络于2016年启动，目前包括14个国家（见结果），但在样带数量（总共148条成功样带）和样带巡查次数（1735次）方面的产出差异很大。我们发现欧洲不同地区记录到的锹甲数量存在差异，这与物候和温度有关，但与样带开始时间无关。此外，还讨论了ESBMN在国际合作、公民科学方法以及志愿者退出方面的初步经验。一个允许一定程度地方差异的国际标准化协议对于国际合作和数据管理至关重要，分析最好在国际层面进行，而招募、培训和维持志愿者最好在当地组织。总之，我们呼吁开展更多基于公民科学的联合国际监测倡议，以协助国际红色名录编制和保护行动。
