FAQ Citizen Science

What is Citizen Science?

Citizen Science refers to the participation of laypeople in scientific research projects and research activities.
This can involve collecting data, making observations, or participating in experiments.

One of the most important goals of Citizen Science is to get the public involved in science and to arouse their interest in science and technology. It also allows scientists to collect a larger amount of data than would be possible using traditional research methods. Examples of Citizen Science projects include bird counting, monitoring climate phenomena, mapping plant and animal species, and monitoring air and water quality.

Citizen Science projects can be carried out both by individuals and groups. They can be initiated either by scientists or by non-profit organisations. In many cases, laypeople and scientists work together to collect and analyse data.

Another important goal of Citizen Science is to involve the public in decision-making and shaping science and technology. Citizen Science projects can help the public gain a better understanding of scientific issues and methods, and thus also be able to better assess the impact of science and technology on society.

Citizen Science has gained popularity in recent years and there are now numerous platforms and projects in which one can participate. These include, for example, the platforms "Zooniverse" and "CitSci.org", which offer a variety of projects from different fields of science.

In conclusion, Citizen Science plays an important role in connecting science and the public.

How is citizen science defined?

Citizen Science is a concept in which laypeople participate in scientific projects together with scientists. This can happen in various fields such as biology, astronomy, environmental sciences or social sciences.

The aim of Citizen Science is to encourage public participation in science while collecting large amounts of data that can be of great use to science. Lay participation can also bring a new perspective to a particular topic, as participants often come from different backgrounds and therefore bring different experiences and knowledge.

One example of Citizen Science is the "Galaxy Zoo" project, where participants classify galaxies on images and thus collect valuable data for astronomy. Another example is the project "eBird", where bird observations are collected by laypeople to gain a better understanding of bird populations and their distribution.

Citizen Science can be carried out in different ways. Some research projects only require participation from home, while others involve participation in field research. There are also research projects that take place online and offline, where participants might collect data and then enter it online.

Citizen Science has gained popularity in recent years, and there are more and more research projects where the participation of the public is sought. There are also more and more scientists who support the concept of Citizen Science and see it as a valuable complement to traditional science.

However, there is also criticism of Citizen Science, as the data collected by laypeople can sometimes not be as accurate as the data collected by professional scientists. It is therefore important that research projects are carefully planned and carried out to ensure that the data collected is of high quality.

What Citizen Science projects exist?

There are a variety of Citizen Science research projects in different fields such as biology, astronomy, environmental sciences, and the social sciences. Some examples are:

• BioBlitz: A project where participants discover and report as many plant and animal species as possible in a given area within a given time period (www.observation.org)
• Galaxy Zoo: A project in which participants classify galaxies on pictures and thereby collect valuable data for astronomy (www.galaxyzoo.com)
• eBird: A project that collects bird observations from laypeople to gain a better understanding of bird populations and their distribution (www.ebird.org)
• Zooniverse: A platform that brings together many Citizen Science projects, such as classifying animals in the wild, deciphering ancient texts, or discovering patterns in climate data (www.zooniverse.org)
• Great Sunflower Project: a project where participants count and report the number of pollen-collecting insects on sunflowers to learn more about the health of pollinator populations (www.greatsunflower.org)
• iNaturalist: A project where participants take photos of plant and animal species and share them with the community to learn more about biodiversity (www.inaturalist.org)
• ClimateWatch: A project where participants observe and report when certain plants and animals bloom or hatch to learn more about the impact of climate change on nature (www.climatewatchdata.org)

These are just a few examples of Citizen Science research projects, There are many more projects in different fields. If you are interested in Citizen Science, there are usually platforms such as Zooniverse where you can find out about ongoing projects. We offer Citizen Science research project trips on board our research vessel. So why not apply now?

Is there such a thing as sustainable travel?

Sustainable travel refers to the way travel is planned and conducted to have the least possible impact on the environment and the local community. Here are some examples of sustainable travel:

• Using public transport, such as bicycles or walking instead of cars or planes to reduce CO2 emissions
• Staying in sustainable accommodation, such as an ecological hotel or a tree house built from sustainable materials
• Participating in activities that support the environment and the local community, such as volunteering on an organic farm
  or taking part in a guided walk that passes through a nature reserve
• Buying local and organically grown food, to strengthen the local economy and minimise the ecological footprint
• Avoiding activities that are harmful to the environment and the local community, such as wildlife watching in a way that disturbs or endangers the animals.

By supporting sustainable travel, people can help reduce the environmental impact of tourism and support local communities.

What is natural resource?

Natural resource is a concept that emphasises the importance of natural resources and ecosystems for human well-being and economic development. It is an important resource that must be conserved and protected to enable sustainable economic development.

Natural resource encompasses a wide range of natural resources, including:

Land: Soil is a critical component of natural capital as it is essential for agriculture, forestry and other important economic sectors.
Water: Water is an indispensable resource for human health and the economy, especially for agriculture and energy production.
Air: Air quality is essential for human well-being and the environment.
Biodiversity: Biodiversity is important for maintaining a healthy environment and for many economic sectors, such as agriculture, forestry and tourism.
Climate regulation: Natural capital plays an important role in regulating the climate by absorbing CO2 and regulating the water balance.
Landscape and ecosystem services: These include, for example, air and water purification, climate regulation, pollination and protection against flooding.

In order to conserve and protect natural capital, it is important to use and manage it sustainably. This means using natural resources in such a way that they are available for future generations. Sustainable use of natural capital also requires the protection and restoration of ecosystems and the conservation of biodiversity.

By protecting and sustainably using natural capital, one can promote sustainable economic development while addressing environmental and climate challenges.