The increase of global connectivity and trade networks is having a tremendous impact on natural cycles and biodiversity. One of these consequences is the introduction of some plant and animal species to new territories by human activities, distinct from their native habitats. This relocation can create significant problems.
Although these “non-native “or “alien species” (AS) might not survive in new environments, when they adapt, they may rapidly reproduce and cause severe damages to the environment, the economy or health – that is they become invasive. This phenomenon has been shown to be increasing in the last years.
Introducing Alien-CSI
Increasing understanding of alien species is key to help prevent their introduction and spread. Managing biological invasions depends on accurate, detailed, and up-to-date information on occurrences, distribution, pathways and impact of invasive alien species (IAS) at varying spatial scales across Europe and indeed globally.
As the challenges of gathering information on AS are complex and multiple, addressing this research through a multidisciplinary approach is necessary.
This is exactly what COST Action ‘Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science’ (Alien-CSI) did during its lifetime (2018-2022)! Building on an existing network from COST Action ‘European Information System for Alien Species‘, a great initiator on harmonising information and approaches for monitoring the arrival and spread of invasive alien species, Alien-CSI continued this work together with other researchers and policymakers to increase the understanding of AS through Citizen Science (CS). It organised its research activities around five objectives set at the beginning of the Action:
Alien-CSI Action Objectives
1 – Improving IAS data collection.
2 – Identifying best practices in data management and standards.
3 – Identifying current quality of AS CS data and how to deal with bias.
4 – Improving approaches to engage people within AS CS.
5 – Assessing the application of CS to (IAS monitoring and surveillance).
6 – Implementing a Europe-wide CS network.
By embracing innovative data gathering processes to support the implementation of monitoring and surveillance measures, Alien-CSI has taken this research to the next level, tapping-into Citizen Science’s potential to deliver quality products and public engagement for the benefits of society as a whole.
Citizen Science (CS), understood as “the participation of non-professional scientists in research”, has developed greatly in recent years. Advances in technology, particularly on-line recording and smartphone apps, along with the development of social media, have revolutionised CS and increased connectivity. New and innovative analysis techniques are emerging to ensure appropriate management, visualisation, interpretation, and use or sharing of data.
Alien-CSI saw the significant potential this area could offer when it comes to supporting the monitoring and surveillance of alien species. CS provides a great opportunity to improve data flow and knowledge, while ensuring effective and high-quality societal engagement with this issue.
By exploring and developing the potential of Citizen Science, Alien-CSI involved volunteers to gather information for effective and efficient prevention, early detection, rapid response, and evaluation of the effectiveness of management measures for IAS.
One of the many CS events organised by the Action was a 3-day Alien-CSI Bioblitz event from 20 to 22 May 2022 in 12 different European countries. The objective was to involve citizens in data collection on AS, proving an opportunity to improve data flow and knowledge on the topic in different regions. 196 invasive alien plant species were reported over the three days.
A follow up research paper ‘More than a Bit of Fun: The Multiple Outcomes of a Bioblitz’ will be soon published by Oxford University Press. This is a truly collaborative paper that brings together work from several meetings and a STSM that network hopes will be an important academic contribution on the subject, standing the test of time.
Quality public engagement and high levels of participation were key to the success of Alien-CSI’s Citizen Science strategy. As such, it was key to produce impactful and creative communication materials to widely inform, educate, and raise awareness on invasive alien species. The materials were directed at different audiences (from school children to decision-makers and citizen science practitioners) across different countries and by collaborating with illustrators and designers complex aspects were translated into easy-to-grasp and inspiring content.
“Science communication is all about sharing stories and we have enjoyed engaging with people to increase understanding of biological invasions while also hearing the tales that people have to tell about the ways in which invasive alien species affect their lives. It is exciting to be able to provide simple ways in which people can make a difference to reduce the threat of biological invasions. The world is facing an environmental crisis and it is important to take every opportunity to raise awareness and encourage people to take action. Engagement with citizens can take many different forms in many different places.“
Prof Helen Roy, Chair of Alien CSI
From animation videos to games and flyers (available in multiple languages), Alien CSI made a significant outreach effort by collaborating with the public for the public:
Alien-CSI Videos
The Three Mosquiteers booklets
The Action produced three fun booklets in both English and Greek for children where three characters, The Three Mosquiteers, learn about invasive species:
- The first booklet introduces the ecology of mosquitoes with a focus on invasive alien mosquitoes.
- The second booklet is about the fantastic pollinators of Europe.
- The third booklet educates about the invasive species.
Insect Invaders interactive tool
Insect Invaders is a fun game for children (available in English and Greek) to help them learn about different invasive alien insect species in Europe. The aim of the game is to guess the insect species that a virtual rival chooses, at the same time the rival will try to guess the species that you choose. You can ask questions about the insect to figure out the species in question. The first to guess the other’s species wins.
Mini guide to invasive alien species
Alien CSI also produced miniguides translated in more than ten different languages (Spanish, Slovenian, Catalan, English, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Romanian and Bulgarian) with the purpose of introducing different AS’ characteristics and identities. Discover more here.
Alien-CSI is a shining example of science communication done well. The Action produced so many interesting dissemination materials, reaching so many citizens. “The hope is that they continue to be used beyond our COST Action by different groups such as school teachers or citizens who are interested in the subject” concludes Kelly Martinou, Alien-CSI’s Science Communication Coordinator.
Collaboration with other COST Actions
Alien CSI actively collaborated with two other COST Actions, EuroScitizen and CS-EU, to devise ways of using Citizen Science to teach the public about evolutionary biology.
Fostering multidisciplinary collaborations amongst researchers is essential to help address the complex challenges our society is facing. Grouping several networks together can therefore give rise to even more innovative solutions. In this case, as evolutionary biologists are not necessarily experts on teaching or communication related issues, the involvement of wider research communities was critical to opening new horizons and helping harness the potential of Citizen Science for this topic.
Lasting impact & what’s next for Alien-CSI?
In addition to the huge variety of different communication products, scientific papers, and events produced and delivered by the network, it’s also important to highlight their policy and institutional-directed impact. For example, Alien CSI benefitted from collaborations with the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN), an initiative of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. This provided the Action with a platform to share ideas and the outputs that arose from their activities in a more policy-focused environment.
Finally, the network continues to thrive behind the scenes, with numerous follow up proposals in the works, including potential future COST Actions.
“We ran an Alien CSI Coding Club through the darkest days of the pandemic. This one hour a week was hugely inspiring and created some long lasting collaborations. It resulted in the Alien CSI Hackathon in Romania, and recently, members of the Club submitted a preproposal to the Biodiversa+ call on biodiversity monitoring. The proposal is a direct consequence of the work we did on secondary data from citizen science and its use in invasive species impact assessment.”
Dr Quentin GROOM, Vice-Chair of Alien CSI
The ethos of the Action from the very beginning was to create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone felt empowered to contribute and the network intends to continue that way. It will be exciting to see what develops in the coming years.
“Perhaps the greatest impact is through the network that has developed, the connections amongst hundreds of people across Europe who will have ongoing collaborations for many years to come. COST has made this possible and it is wonderful to see the benefits for all participants.“
Prof Helen Roy, Chair of Alien CSI
