As a general matter, science can
seem really impenetrable to the average lay person. Any given subject
synthesizes huge swaths of information and has its own specialized
vocabulary. It may seem like us normals have nothing to contribute, but
in fact we do, as evidenced by the growing number of
citizen science projects. In fact, a recent study published in the journal
Marine Biology
found that, not only can citizen scientists contribute to the body of
scientific knowledge, they can actually help save a species.
Contributing to science seems daunting because this isn’t the 1800s
anymore; we’ve progressed so far passed pure observation that it’s
sometimes hard to see how a non-professional scientist can participate.
However, Julia Reisser, a PhD student at the University of Western
Australia’s Oceans Institute, studied how environmental variables
affected green sea turtles using observational approaches. In a time
when everything is going high tech, Reisser sees value in
good, old fashioned observation:
“Several high-tech methods such as
genetic analysis and satellite tracking are providing useful
information regarding sea turtle ecology,” Ms. Reisser said. “However,
observational approaches, extensively used by naturalists in early
ecology, still have the potential to fill gaps in our marine ecological
knowledge.”
…
“Underwater observations such as the
ones described in this study could be incorporated to other research
programs such Citizen Science projects that involve diving activities,”
Ms. Reisser said.
“It could help deliver better management plans to protect sea turtle populations.”
I wasn’t aware of the phenomenon of the term “
citizen science“ until
a year or so ago, but the concept is much older than that. It’s
basically just public collaboration in scientific research. It’s a way
for passionate volunteers and amateur scientists to propose and
contribute to projects alongside professional scientists. There are
dozens of citizen science projects going on all the time. These types of
projects benefit everyone involved; the public gets to see what it’s
like to study the natural world, and the scientists get to interact and
spread the excitement they feel for their field. It’s very cool.
One of the great things about recruiting amateurs to work on a
research project is the capacity for gathering information. That’s what
we need more of when it comes to green sea turtles. We know that green
sea turtles migrate long distances from their feeding grounds to mating
grounds, but most of their in-water activity is still a mystery. In
Reisser’s study, she and other researchers studied the sea turtle’s
shallow water feeding environment. It’s research like this that Reisser
believes could easily be incorporated in citizen science projects.
The more people we have on the case, the better. Sea turtles have been on the
decline worldwide in large part
because they are commercially hunted and their eggs are collected for
food. Coastal development has led to loss of habitat, and
beachfront lighting disorients turtle hatchlings.
Disease, marine pollution and getting caught in commercial fishing nets
have also contributed to the species’ decline. The population of green
sea turtles around
Florida
and the Pacific Coast of Mexico are considered endangered under the
Endangered Species Act, while other populations are considered
threatened.
While there are many threats to the green sea turtle, it’s exciting
to know that regular people can potentially do something about it. In
fact,
there already exists sea turtle citizen science projects, just looking for volunteers.
