| Autor: |
Thomaes A; Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), 1000 Brussels, Belgium., Barbalat S; Independent Researcher, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland., Bardiani M; Raparto Carabinieri Biodiversità di Verona, Centro Nazionale Carabinieri Biodiversità 'Bosco Fontana', 46045 Marmirolo, Italy., Bower L; People's Trust for Endangered Species, London SW8 4BG, UK., Campanaro A; CREA, Centro di Ricerca Difesa e Certificazione, 50023 Firenze, Italy., Fanega Sleziak N; Department of Biosystems (BIOSYST), Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium., Gonçalo Soutinho J; Associação Bioliving, 3850-635 Frossos, Portugal.; CIBIO/InBIO-Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal.; Faculdade de Ciências, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal., Govaert S; Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Environment, Forest & Nature Lab, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium., Harvey D; Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK., Hawes C; Independent Researcher, Bentley IP9 2BS, UK., Kadej M; Department of Invertebrate Biology, Evolution and Conservation, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland., Méndez M; Area of Biodiversity and Conservation, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Móstoles, Spain., Meriguet B; Office Pour Les Insectes et Leur Environnement, 78280 Guyancourt, France., Rink M; Hirschkäferfreunde-Nature Two e.V., 56859 Alf, Germany., Rossi De Gasperis S; Department of Biology-Natural History Museum 'La Specola', University of Florence, 50125 Florence, Italy., Ruyts S; Natuurpunt, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium., Jelaska LŠ; Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Smit J; European Invertebrate Survey-The Netherlands/Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2300 Leiden, The Netherlands., Smolis A; Department of Invertebrate Biology, Evolution and Conservation, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland., Snegin E; Biology and Chemistry Department, Belgorod State University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia., Tagliani A; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy., Vrezec A; Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, National Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. |
| Abstrakt: |
To address the decline in biodiversity, international cooperation in monitoring of threatened species is needed. Citizen science can play a crucial role in achieving this challenging goal, but most citizen science projects have been established at national or regional scales. Here we report on the establishment and initial findings of the European Stag Beetle Monitoring Network (ESBMN), an international network of stag beetle ( Lucanus cervus ) monitoring schemes using the same protocol. The network, started in 2016, currently includes 14 countries (see results) but with a strong variation in output regarding the number of transects (148 successful transects in total) and transect walks (1735). We found differences across European regions in the number of stag beetles recorded, related to phenology and temperature, but not for time of transect start. Furthermore, the initial experiences of the ESBMN regarding international cooperation, citizen science approach, and drop-out of volunteers is discussed. An international standardised protocol that allows some local variation is essential for international collaboration and data management, and analysis is best performed at the international level, whereas recruiting, training, and maintaining volunteers is best organised locally. In conclusion, we appeal for more joint international citizen science-based monitoring initiatives assisting international red-listing and conservation actions. |
