Leveraging place in citizen science for effective decision-making

Citizen science projects often focus on large-scale scientist-defined conservation topics such as bird diversity, phenology, climate change, invasive species, human-wildlife conflicts, and other fisheries and wildlife... [ view full abstract ]

Citizen science projects often focus on large-scale scientist-defined conservation topics such as bird diversity, phenology, climate change, invasive species, human-wildlife conflicts, and other fisheries and wildlife management issues; not necessarily on complex and multi-faceted conservation decisions, issues, and actions relevant to specific local place(s). Thus, many citizen science projects struggle to inform conservation decision making. The phrase ‘power of place’ embodies actions motivated by the emotional, cultural and material connections that many people have for the places in which they live. We posit that leveraging place improves the ability of citizen science projects to inform conservation decision making. First, we identify five dimensions of ‘place’. We then analyze 134 case studies from CitSci.org, The Stewardship Network New England, and Earthwatch regarding use of place dimensions in project materials, intent for use in decision-making, and evidence of such use. We find that 89% of projects intend for data to be used, 46% demonstrate no evidence of use, and 54% provide some evidence of use. Moreover, projects used in decision making leverage more (t=-4.8, df=117; p<0.001) place dimensions (x=3.0; s=1.4) than those not used in decision making (x=1.8; s=1.2). We present a framework for leveraging place in citizen science and recommend approaches to better impart intended outcomes. We conclude that effective decision making is strengthened by leveraging place in citizen science and better coupling citizen science projects to place-based decision-making needs.