Exploring the role of citizen science in securing a future for seagrass: a focus on Seagrass Spotter

Seagrass meadows are complex social-ecological systems that provide a myriad of essential ecosystem services supporting human wellbeing. But seagrass globally is suffering from degradation and loss, with increasing intensity... [ view full abstract ]

Seagrass meadows are complex social-ecological systems that provide a myriad of essential ecosystem services supporting human wellbeing. But seagrass globally is suffering from degradation and loss, with increasing intensity of threats, and significant lack of data to support appropriate management action. The role of citizen science in data collection for terrestrial ecological monitoring is widely acknowledged as providing significant contributions to science, education, society, and policy formulation. Uptake of citizen science in the marine sector has been slower, but the situation is improving particularly with the help of citizen friendly research tools and technologies. Seagrass meadows are shallow near shore habitats that are easy to access and so lend themselves well to the engagement of citizen scientists. The growth of seagrass citizen science projects in recent years reflects this. Methodological and technological developments have been critical to this expansion, providing a suite of opportunities for citizens to engage with seagrass. Moreover, the increasing use of online tools has created opportunities to collect and submit as well as help process and analyse data. Here we present Seagrass Spotter, a phone application that is working towards supporting the collection of global data on the distribution, health and status of seagrass meadows. Citizen science has helped researchers integrate scientific and local knowledge and engage communities to implement conservation measures that would usually not be economically viable. Here we use Seagrass Spotter as an example to demonstrate how citizen science can contribute to useable global data bases and to securing a future for seagrass.