Latest news with #citizenscience
RNZ News
18 hours ago
- Science
- RNZ News
Annual New Zealand Garden Bird Survey begins
A Kererū pair in the kōwhai. Photo: Manaaki Whenua/Meg Lipscombe Hundreds of citizen scientists are set for a stint of bird spotting as the annual New Zealand Garden Bird Survey gets underway on Saturday. It's the 19th time that Te Tatauranga o ngā Manu Māra o Aotearoa has been held. From now until 6 July people were encouraged to get out in their garden or go to a local park and look at and listen for birds for one hour, on one day, and record the highest number of each species they notice. The survey's co-ordinator, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research senior researcher Dr Angela Brandt, said the ongoing data collection showed how the trends for each species might be changing over time. The survey reported on 14 different bird species that were most commonly seen in the garden to identify trends within those species. Pīwakawaka (fantail) about to take off in the backyard. Photo: Manaaki Whenua/Graham Murphy Last year's survey found that tūī and pīwakawaka continued to increase, while national declines in silvereye or tauhou lessened. But there were short-term declines for kererū both at the national scale and in seven regions, she said. "What we've noticed, especially in our last two reports, was that three species were starting to show these short-term, five-year declines. "That's the kererū, the goldfinch, and the house sparrow. It's not a cause for alarm necessarily, but it's something that we should pay attention to and we want to see whether those trends start to pick up again or if they continue on that kind of declining end of the spectrum." Brandt said the survey not only provided information about birds and the environment generally, but it boosted participants' wellbeing by getting them outdoor and observing and thinking about nature. "We had people saying it was a good opportunity to slow down. Participants talked about feeling curiosity, joy, fun, wonder and a sense of connection." A Tūī (kōkō) interrupted from its feed. Photo: Manaaki Whenua/Colin Keast It also complemented the monitoring undertaken in conservation areas, she added. "We're asking people to count all the birds they see, so we get a lot of information on the common species [as well as rare and threatened species] and can then see if they're potentially starting to decline. "But also we're also getting information from urban and rural areas where people are, so that covers some different parts of New Zealand to the monitoring efforts going on by our science organisations and experts." For some species there was a lot of variation among regions, she added. "The fantail is a great example of a species that's quite consistent [everywhere] as we're generally seeing increases over the last several years." In contrast the korimako (bellbird) was "quite variable," she said. "Canterbury and Nelson for example, we've had pretty consistent increasing trends for bell birds over the last several years. "But then we actually have some strong decreases in the counts that we've seen in some of our North Island regions such as Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Manawatu." It underscored why survey participation was invaluable, Brandt said. "What's really helpful for us to actually pick up those differences is to get enough people participating in each region, [to] give us that full picture." How to take part in the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey: 1. Visit the NZ Garden Bird Survey website to get started. 2. Select a garden or a local park. 3. Choose any ONE day between 28 June and 6 July. 4. Look and listen for birds on that day for ONE hour. 5. For each species, record the HIGHEST number seen or heard at one time. 6. Submit the results online via the NZ Garden Bird Survey website's Take Part page. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The Herald
3 days ago
- Health
- The Herald
Nearly half of school water samples tested unsafe: WaterCAN project
The worst-performing water source was JoJo tanks, which many rural and township schools rely on when piped water is not available. Poor maintenance, infrequent cleaning and municipal water issues were flagged as major contributors. For many pupils, especially in rural and quintile 1-3 schools, water has become an item they carry with them, sometimes in bottles from home. Some schools rely on streams or rainwater for daily use. In extreme cases, pupils relieve themselves in open fields due to a lack of functioning toilets, with no water or soap for hygiene. The lack of water does not just affect health; it affects dignity, concentration and school attendance, especially for girls during their menstruation. 'Unsafe water is not just a health issue; it's an education issue, a gender issue and a human rights issue,' said WaterCAN executive director Dr Ferrial Adam . What set this project apart was the involvement of pupils, who were trained to conduct water quality tests using citizen science kits. In cases where water was unsafe, project partners notified the schools and offered guidance on short-term solutions and long-term engagement with municipalities. 'This is not just citizen science — it's civic action,' said Adam. 'We cannot rely on learners alone to test their water, but we can develop young leaders with real agency. 'With more than 24,000 schools in South Africa, this sample represents a fraction, but the findings suggest systemic challenges that demand urgent national attention. 'This underlines the urgent need for a much broader, nationally co-ordinated testing and response programme. Every school deserves to know the quality of its water. Every learner deserves clean, safe access.' TimesLIVE
Mail & Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- Mail & Guardian
School sampling tests find storage tanks contain unsafe water
Pupils from Douglas Mbopa Senior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape, test water using WaterCAN kits. (Photo: WaterCAN) A Of 19 tank water samples tested in eight provinces, 14 (about 74%) were found to contain bacterial contamination, including E coli, rendering the water unfit for human consumption. Of the 53 schools that upload valid data, 23 returned results showing water was unsafe to drink. In total, 43% of the 53 samples tested showed bacterial contamination. This included 23% of tap water sources and 66% of river samples. But storage tanks — installed widely for commercial and private use to compensate for failing municipal water infrastructure — showed the highest rate of contamination. The tests formed part of a random sampling project led by nonprofit group The campaign was designed to coincide with World Water Day and involved 95 schools. Water was tested from taps, rivers and tanks, the primary sources of drinking water at participating schools. The learners were trained to use citizen science water test kits, which checked for chemical and microbiological contaminants such as nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, chlorine, bacterial contamination from total coliforms and E coli, as well as the acidity, alkalinity and hardness levels of the water. Ferrial Adam, the executive director of WaterCAN, said the results showed the importance of monitoring water tanks at schools. 'We don't know how often they're maintained; we don't know what their source of water is. Some of them get municipal water, some of them are rainwater-harvested, some of them are [from] boreholes. But in all of that, whatever their source, there are issues that need to be raised.' She said the results of this small project were worrying. 'If we look at the government's The project included online and in-person training sessions for teachers and learners. WaterCAN's report acknowledges that only 47% of schools submitted test results, because of schools being closed for the holidays, data upload difficulties and other logistical barriers. 'It is critical to emphasise that the data reflects only a snapshot of the broader reality across South Africa's thousands of schools,' said the report. 'While we cannot generalise about the water quality status of all schools, the findings do highlight systemic concerns that likely apply nationwide, most notably, the urgent need for an improvement to water and sanitation infrastructure, consistent water quality monitoring and routine maintenance of tanks and other storage systems within school premises. The Collaboration partners plan to engage the DBE [department of basic education] about this.' Herman Mayer, the education lead at the Leap Institute, said he enjoyed the campaign, which provided experiential learning to children. 'It's fantastic that we could involve schools in something that is critical to our country's prosperity. 'And in the end, education remains the single biggest and easiest way to change people's living conditions and opportunities and it's the quickest and easiest way that we can remove some of the inequality in our society.' As at home, children need clean, safe water at school, he said. 'The education department is responsible to provide conditions that are conducive to learning. It's taken us 30 years and we still haven't got rid of, for instance, schools with pit latrines, schools with no running water. 'We need to help the department. We also need to put pressure on the department as well as the provincial departments to make sure that all schools have clean and safe drinking water and all types of sanitation.' He added that young people need to understand their relationship with water, given that it is a scarce resource. They also should learn about water being polluted and that with scientific knowledge water can be preserved Nomsa Daele, WaterCAN's citizen science training coordinator, said the results would be used to alert affected schools; support follow-up testing and discussions with local government; and advocate for systemic solutions from the department and municipalities. 'This is a wake-up call, and it calls for urgent action and advocacy work,' she said. In 2024, South Africa had 24 850 schools, of which 22 381 were public. Government data suggesting nearly half of all public schools lack flushing toilets and about 2% have no running water. But a report by the International Labour Research and Information Group, has suggested that the number without functional water systems could be as high as 25%. Adam added that the project was not just about getting the results. 'It was about how do we build that next layer of water warriors in South Africa.' The project was a collaboration between WaterCAN, the Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa, Adopt-a-River, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay science centres, Makhanda River Rescue and the Leap Institute.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers make key breakthrough in fight against growing crisis that threatens entire planet: 'No community is unaffected'
Communities are important when it comes to tackling the world's growing plastic problem, according to a group of researchers. In their paper, published in the journal Microplastics and Nanoplastics, the scientists argued for a radical shift that sees communities as equal partners in co-creating research, knowledge, and action. The paper, summed up by the University of Portsmouth, was developed through an interdisciplinary workshop at the National Oceanography Centre in the United Kingdom. The team highlighted the diverse ways that communities communicate about plastic pollution, including through puppet shows, participatory art, citizen science, and indigenous knowledge. For example, researchers from the University of Portsmouth worked with waste pickers in Kenya to create a piece of "legislative theater" that explored issues such as policymaking, discrimination, and job insecurity. "In many contexts, especially in under-resourced areas, lack of formal education does not mean lack of knowledge," said study author Lesley Henderson of the University of Strathclyde. "Scientists must be careful not to conflate the two." Meeting the plastics crisis head-on has become increasingly important. As the University of Portsmouth summary pointed out, estimates suggest that by 2040, up to 29 million tons of plastic could enter oceans each year, which is more than double the 2010 numbers. As these plastics degrade over time, they break into smaller microplastics and nanoplastics, which further threaten the environment and human health. While researchers are still exploring all of the health impacts of microplastic exposure, these tiny particles have been tied to problems such as cancer, dementia, and impaired blood flow in the brain. Meanwhile, scientists are exploring new methods to clean up plastics from the environment. For instance, one team discovered that egg whites can filter microplastics out of ocean water. Another group found a way to remove microplastics from the soil using a type of processed farm waste. Individuals can help with the problem by reducing the amount of plastic they use. Reach for reusable shopping bags and water bottles, for instance, and opt for bar soap instead of the bottled varieties. "Given the ubiquity of plastics in our day-to-day lives, and subsequently as an environmental pollutant, no community is unaffected by this issue," the paper stated. Lead author Alice Horton of the National Oceanography Centre added: "Communities are not 'out there' waiting to be engaged. They are dynamic, diverse, and already playing critical roles in shaping how we understand and respond to ocean plastics." Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Gizmodo
21-06-2025
- Science
- Gizmodo
How to Become a Backyard Naturalist With Just Your Smartphone
In the early days of summer, backyards come to life. Warmer temperatures transform spring buds into lush greenery, coax insects from their winter slumber, and invite newborn animals to explore their surroundings on wobbling legs or wings. With smartphones, documenting this emerging wildlife has never been easier. These days, all the tools you need to become a backyard naturalist fit right in the palm of your hand. And while June is an especially good time to start, you can use your phone to observe organisms, identify species, and record sightings any time of year, no matter your location. It's more than just a hobby—scientists can use your data to conduct important research, allowing you to make contributions as a citizen scientist. 'Twenty years ago, if a researcher wanted to understand an ecological pattern, the main way to do that was to go out and collect data,' said Corey Callaghan, a global change ecologist at the University of Florida. 'But now with this smartphone revolution over the last 20 years, the number of observations recorded by everyday people—whether they're really into birding or just interested in the animals in their backyard—has exponentially increased the amount of data available to use,' he said. How Birdwatching Got Me to Finally Log Off and Actually Go Outside Gillian Bowser, a wildlife ecologist at Colorado State University, also recalls a time when a lack of digital tools limited research in her field. 'The data now is so much more accessible because of the smartphone,' she said. These devices are particularly useful because they record the precise location of each sighting and allow users to easily upload data to open-source platforms, she said. Gizmodo turned to Bowser and Callaghan for expert advice on becoming a backyard naturalist. They shared their favorite apps, pro tips, and explained how researchers like them use the data you collect to support science. Numerous apps can help you document wildlife, but some are easier to use than others. For those who are just getting started as backyard naturalists, iNaturalist is 'a really good entry point,' Callaghan said. This free app is available for both iOS and Android. It allows you to record observations, identify species, and share your data with other naturalists all in one place. Unlike specialized apps such as eBird or Picture Insect, iNaturalist can document any kind of organism. Once you download it, all you have to do is set up an account with your email address. Now, you're ready to start snapping photos of plants, birds, pesky neighborhood squirrels, and even that weird-looking bug in your bathroom. You name it—the iNaturalist community can probably identify it. The app does this through crowdsourcing, which means users work together to identify species. This fosters collaboration among experts, novices, and everyone in between. For extra help identifying species, you can also download iNaturalist's free companion app, Seek. Also available for both iOS and Android, Seek uses artificial intelligence to analyze images and determine which species you observed. 'Simply point your phone—with Seek turned on—at whatever, and it'll identify it for you,' Bowser said. The app will also provide background information about the species, such as whether it's native to your area, she added. Both Bowser and Callaghan recommend getting comfortable with iNaturalist before you start playing around with less beginner-friendly apps like eBird, eButterfly, or iSpy. Building a knowledge base through iNaturalist will help you progress to more specialized apps, they said. Charge your phone, put on some sunscreen, and pull your socks up over your pants, because it's time to observe some wildlife. Don't worry, you don't have to go trekking into the wilderness. There are plenty of fascinating species to be found in your backyard, local park, or even your window box. iNaturalist and Seek work well anywhere, including dense urban jungles and indoor spaces. Rule number one: 'Don't be discouraged,' Callaghan said. When you're first starting out, it can be especially difficult to snap photos of small, fast-moving creatures like a field mouse or a dragonfly. 'Patience is one of my biggest tips,' he said. You may not be able to take a clear picture of a tiny bee buzzing by with your smartphone, but there's plenty of scientific value in documenting plants or larger, slower-moving animals, too. That said, there are things you can do to make sure that you're generating good data. To get as clear a photo as possible, make sure your shot is in-focus and well-lit. You can tap your finger on the screen to bring your subject into focus, use your backpack or your hand to shade it if the Sun is too bright, or use the flash to illuminate it—though this may scare off some animals. You'll also want to get as close as you can to your subject while still prioritizing safety. It's okay to get up close and personal with a daisy or an earthworm, but bears, tick-carrying deer, or nesting birds—not so much. When in doubt, stay farther away. If you can do so safely, try to photograph your subject from multiple angles to capture all of its features. Finally, add some field notes to your observation. Some examples include a specific description of where the sighting occurred, how a plant smells or feels, or the number of individuals you saw. The more information you provide, the easier it will be to identify the species. More details also give scientists more data points to use. This may sound challenging, but you don't have to go it alone. Callaghan recommends checking out events hosted by your local Audubon chapter, like nature walks. Bowser noted that iNaturalist also lets users join or organize group projects. This pools your observations with others under a common theme, helping you connect with users who share your interests or live in your area. If getting outside isn't possible for you, you can document the species living inside your home. There's even an iNaturalist project specifically for indoor observations called Never Home Alone: The Wild Life of Homes. There's great value in 'even just knowing what we share our everyday urban lives with,' Callaghan said. Bowser recommends iNaturalist 'because of its ability internally to get things to research.' When you upload an observation, it becomes data that scientists can use to answer questions like, 'Are butterflies declining in New York City?' she explained. By default, all images, audio recordings, and observation data you upload will be given a Creative Commons license that allows others to use your content for non-commercial purposes, as long as they credit you. It also lets iNaturalist export your data to research partners such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) so that scientists can access it. You can choose not to license some or all of your data, which means others will need your explicit permission to use it. To change the default licenses for your account, sign into the iNaturalist website and navigate to Account Settings, then Content & Display, and scroll down until you see Licensing. As ecologists, Bowser and Callaghan use citizen science data to understand biodiversity patterns in space and time. Anyone can collect data that helps scientists track and conserve species. You may even discover a new one. The iNaturalist Montana Moth Project, for example, has identified some 4,000 previously unknown species, according to Bowser. 'There are millions of species that are undefined,' she said. While conducting citizen science is incredibly valuable, Callaghan stresses that apps like iNaturalist are designed to be fun. 'Use them for what you want,' he said. 'Go out and learn about what we share our backyards with.'
