Citizen Science for Coastal and Marine Conservation: (Earthscan Oceans)

In recent years, citizen science has emerged as a powerful new concept to enable the general public, students, and volunteers to become involved in scientific research. A prime example is in biodiversity conservation, where data collection and monitoring can be greatly enhanced through citizen participation. This is the first book to provide much needed guidance and case studies from marine and coastal conservation. The novelty and rapid expansion of the field has created a demand for the discussion of key issues and the development of best practices. The book demonstrates the utility and feasibility, as well as limitations, of using marine and coastal citizen science for conservation, and by providing critical considerations (i.e.which questions and systems are best suited for citizen science), presents recommendations for best practices for successful marine and coastal citizen science projects. A range of case studies, for example, on monitoring of seabird populations, invasive species, plastics pollution, and the impacts of climate change, from different parts of the world, is included. Also included are discussions on engaging youth, indigenous communities, and divers and snorkelers as citizen scientists, as well as best practices on communication within citizen science, building trust with stakeholders, and informing marine policy as part of this exciting and empowering way of improving marine and coastal conservation. .

Table of Contents:
Part I Introduction 1. The Promise and Need of Citizen Science for Coastal and Marine Conservation Part II: The practice of marine and coastal citizen science for conservation.- Section Intro Paragraph 2. Defining the Baseline and Tracking Change in Seabird Populations: The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) 3. Using citizen science to address conservation issues related to climate change and coastal systems 4. Citizen Sentinels: The role of Citizen Scientists in Reporting and Monitoring Invasive Non-Native Species 5. Using citizen science to study the impact of vessel traffic on marine mammal populations 6. Marine Litter – bringing together citizen scientists from around the world 7. Using Citizen Science to Inform Ocean and Coastal Resource Management 8. Engagement in Marine Conservation through Citizen Science: A Community-Based Approach to Eelgrass Restoration in Frenchman Bay, Maine, USA 9. Citizen Science and Marine Policy Part III: The People and Perspectives of Marine and Coastal Citizen Science: Diverse Interests, Needs, and Benefits 10. Collaborating with indigenous citizen scientists towards sustainable coral reef management in a changing world: the One People One Reef Program 11. Engaging Youth and Schools in Coastal Citizen Science: Balancing Both Education and Science Goals 12. Uniquely marine: snorkelers and divers as citizen scientists Part IV Conclusions - Lessons Learned and Best Practices for marine and coastal conservation citizen science 13. Communication and Trust-Building with the Broader Public through Marine and Coastal Citizen Science 14. Conclusions: Lessons Learned and Next Steps for Citizen Science in Marine and Coastal Conservation

About the Author :
John A. Cigliano is Professor of Biology and Director of Environmental Conservation in the Department of Biological Sciences, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA; adjunct faculty at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Winter Harbor, Maine, USA; and an Earthwatch Institute Principal Investigator. He collaborates with citizen scientists to study the effects of ocean acidification and warming on temperate rocky-intertidal organisms and communities. John is currently the Past President of the Marine Section, the Vice President of the Participatory and Citizen Science Working Group, both of the Society for Conservation Biology, and a founding member of the Citizen Science Association. Heidi L. Ballard is Associate Professor of Environmental Science Education and Faculty Director of the Center for Community and Citizen Science at the University of California, Davis, USA. She leads research on what and how adults and youth learn about science, the environment, and their communities through participation in citizen science and community science. She is on the Editorial Board of Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, and a member of several professional societies’ working groups focused on citizen science. She has collaborated with numerous citizen and community science projects internationally to help improve design and evaluation of their programs.

Review :
"This informative book celebrates the rich legacy of knowledge on marine and coastal conservation while highlighting the need for increased attention and the role that people could play through citizen science. The breadth of subjects included is impressive and the lessons learnt have relevance to environments beyond marine and coastal. It is inspiring to note the value of citizen science for conservation and exciting to consider the future possibilities that could come from even wider engagement." - Helen Roy, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, UK, and Secretary, Citizen Science Special Interest Group of the British Ecological Society "This publication is a highly topical and much needed addition to this area of coastal and marine resource management. The book has been widely cited by both postgraduate and undergraduate students across a range of disciplines here at the University of Portsmouth. It has also been highly valuable in providing ideas for a recent grant bid and several journal paper submissions. I would highly recommend this book for range of audiences - students, academics and practitioners." - Jonathan Potts, Principal Lecturer and Course Director for MSc Coastal and Marine Resource Management, University of Portsmouth, UK '…this book provides well-articulated evidence that citizen science can be a unique and effective approach to coastal and marine conservation if it is thoughtfully designed and applied. The successful case studies, detailed figures, and enthusiasm exuded throughout the book make the content highly readable for a wide range of audiences, such as project managers, students, academics, practitioners, and even prospective volunteers. It is exciting to see the power of citizen science for conservation, and I am sure this book will inspire new ideas to enrich this field'. — Miguel Furtado, Conservation Biology, 2019