Reversing the global biodiversity crisis requires more than simply the conservation and management of species. It also requires the conservation and management of the habitats in which they live. Monitoring data are needed to understand the changing condition of habitats, but although there is a long history of biodiversity monitoring in the UK (and other European countries) in particular, data on habitats are collected much less frequently. Collecting these data can be complex and expensive. This BTO-led study reviewed how citizen science can help. 

There are three main reasons for collecting habitat data. First, they are important to assess the extent and condition of habitats, and how they change over time. This is vital for targeted management action, such as biodiversity net gain and rewilding. Second, habitat data from specific areas are needed to ground truth remote-sensed Earth Observation (EO) data collected by, for example, satellites and drones; this will help in monitoring habitat conditions over larger areas and longer time-scales than would otherwise be possible. Third, these data are needed to understand the habitat associations of particular species, and how habitat change can therefore drive biodiversity change. This study considered the potential of citizen science for habitat recording. It included a survey of 458 current and potential citizen scientists in the UK, some of whom take part in the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey, to understand their motivations and confidence in recording habitat. Using this information and the long experience BTO has at working with volunteers who participate in our surveys, the paper develops a framework to test when citizen science could help in habitat monitoring. 

Because every application is different, the framework poses a series of questions – the answers to which will help guide people developing new projects. The first thing to consider is the specific need for the data, so precisely which data need to be collected. Thinking about how the data will be collected, and how it fits into the survey route is next – will simple categories suffice, or is something more nuanced needed? By thinking about questions like these, it should be possible to find a way for important habitat data to be collected in as painless a way as possible, with the aim of better supporting our understanding of how birds use and interact with landscapes in which they live.

Context 

Reversing the global biodiversity crisis requires not only conservation and management of species, but the habitats in which they live. While there is a long history of biodiversity recording by volunteers, at least in Europe, information on habitats is less frequently recorded. Habitat data is needed to map and monitor habitat extent and condition; to train and validate earth observation (EO) data; and to explain biodiversity change. The complexity of habitat classifications means that it is challenging to record habitat well, but citizen science provides diverse opportunities to improve the range and scale of habitat recording.

Objectives/Methods 

We reviewed how citizen science can complement surveys by professionals and EO for habitat recording, and discuss its opportunities and challenges. We summarised a survey of 458 volunteer biodiversity recorders asked about their interest in and barriers to recording habitat. From this we developed a framework of questions to design citizen science that is appropriate and effective for habitat recording. 

Results/Conclusions 

We found that existing biodiversity recorders were willing to consider habitat recording, but many lacked confidence and some lacked motivation. Our framework of six questions addresses the interplay between volunteer motivation and confidence, and data accuracy. It highlighted design considerations such as clarity of purpose, cost to volunteers, protocol complexity and scale of sampling. This impacts the training and support required by volunteers. Building this understanding into citizen science design enables us to develop activities that meet the needs for habitat data for monitoring, EO validation and research.