Lessons from Lady Beetles
Gardiner MM, Allee LL, Brown PM, Losey JE, Roy HE, Smyth RR. 2012. Lessons from Lady Beetles. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 10(9):471-476
Accuracy of monitoring data from US and UK citizen-science programs. Citizen scientists have the potential to play a crucial role in the study of rapidly changing lady beetle (Coccinellidae) populations. We used data derived from three coccinellid-focused citizen programs to examine the costs and benefits of data collection from direct citizen-science (data used without verification) and verified citizen-science (observations verified by trained experts) programs. Data collated through direct citizen science was more cost effective than traditional science (in terms of data gathered per dollar). The ability to collect a greater number of samples through direct citizen science may compensate for reduced accuracy, depending on the type of data collected and the type(s) and extent of errors committed by volunteers.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Gardiner, Mary; Allee, Leslie; Brown, Peter; Losey, John; Roy, Helen; Smyth, Rebecca
- Units
- GULN
- Keywords
- Accuracy, Beetles, citizen, Data, lady, lessons, Monitoring, Programs, Science