Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/990836
OPINION maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 6 JUNE 2018 8 DECEMBER 1900 marked the first ever "Christmas Bird Count" in the USA. Its aim was to get people counting bird species rather than kill- ing them. It's now an annual tradition. Every year on a specific day between December 14 and January 5, thousands of volunteers – ordinary people, not scientists – gather in more than 2,000 locations in the Western hemisphere to count birds. Conservation biologists use this data to assess bird populations' health and look at long-term trends. This is probably the earliest recorded example of citizen science. The term citizen science is used in many ways—indeed citizen science projects can take a variety of approaches, have different goals, and involve many disciplines of science. In its broad sense, citizen science can be defined as engaging the public in scientific projects as it allows people who are not traditionally involved in doing science and gathering data, to become active contributors to real science. Successful scientific studies rely on evidence collected in research. This is no less so for biodiversity conservation projects. We need to understand where the species we want to protect lives, how and when it reproduces, what it eats and where it migrates before we can work out a way to protect it. Citizen science provides an opportunity to gather information that would otherwise be impossible to collect because of limitations related to time and resources. Hence, citizen science has the ability to expand research taxonomically, geographically and temporally. Although citizen science currently has a supportive role in conservation and ecology, an increasing number of researchers are recognising its benefits and are working with citizen scientists. This is just as true in Malta as it is elsewhere in the world. More and more people in Malta are becoming citizen scientists – and the benefits are huge both for them as individuals and for science on the islands. In Malta, Greenhouse Malta volunteers monitor and record data on orchids and bees while out on nature walks. They also monitor and record bat sightings by going on night walks in town and villages or simply from the comfort of their own backyard by using specially provided bat detectors. Data from these citizen science projects are feeding into local biodiversity databases and distribution maps. The contribution of citizen science goes beyond gathering or unravelling data. Enthusiastic volunteers also bring their computer equipment and technological skills to assist with number crunching and data analysis. They can fill in knowledge gaps by providing scientists with extra hands, eyes, computers, cameras, smartphones and vehicles. However, like any scientific tool, there are limits to what citizen science can accomplish. A major consideration of citizen science is the complexity of the task at hand. Criticism normally revolves around the quality of data collected by non-experts. Inclusivity is also a particular challenge when it comes to citizen science projects. It can be difficult to involve people who don't have their own transport or access to smartphones, computers and internet. Despite its limitations, citizen science has an important place in global conservation initiatives. It is a way of driving public engagement; of creating linkages and dialogue between science and society. It can inspire people to take an interest in science and enthuse young people about careers in science. It helps make science a part of everyday life – after all, the evidence of science's benefits is all around us. Above all, it is also a vital step towards democratising science. Anyone can start contributing to the conservation of our local f lora and fauna by joining any of the research projects being conducted by Greenhouse Malta. More information can be found on the facebook page or by emailing on Greenhouse Malta on green.uom@gmail. com. Simone Cutajar is a member of Greenhouse Malta Member organisations of the National Youth Council (KNZ) have been invited to submit opinion articles on topics affecting youths today, to its member organisations. The contents of the article do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Council Citizen Science – science with, for and by the people Simone Cutrajar In its broad sense, citizen science can be def ined as engaging the public in scientif ic projects as it allows people who are not traditionally involved in doing science and gathering data, to become active contributors to real science 8