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Many eyes on the ground: citizen science is an effective early detection tool for biosecurity

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Abstract

Early detection of target non-indigenous species is one of the most important determinants of a successful eradication campaign. For early detection to be successful, and provide the highest probability of achieving eradication, intense surveillance is often required that can involve significant resources. Volunteer based monitoring or “citizen science” is one potential tool to address this problem. This study differs from standard citizen science projects because the participants are personnel or contractors of a company working on Barrow Island, Western Australia. We show that personnel can contribute successfully to a surveillance program aimed at detecting a broad taxonomic range of non-indigenous vertebrate and invertebrate species. Using data collected over a five year surveillance period on Barrow Island, we show that eighteen of the nineteen (95%) non-indigenous invertebrate species new to the island were detected by personnel working on the island, and that the number of detections made by these workers was significantly related to the number of personnel on the island at any one time. Most personnel detections (91%) were made inside buildings where the majority of active surveillance tools could not be implemented. For vertebrates, 4 NIS species detections (100% of detections) were made in the built environment by personnel. Although reporting of suspect non-indigenous species is voluntary, personnel are required to attend inductions and toolboxes where reporting of suspect biosecurity risk material is encouraged. These results demonstrate the value of industry led ‘citizen science’ programs, resulting in sustained stewardship and conservation of areas with high environmental value.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Jenna van Niekerk for help with data management and analysis and to all the personnel on BWI whose contribution is highlighted in this manuscript. We would like to acknowledge Biota Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd for undertaking all of the Vertebrate active surveillance, and Curtin University (Jonathan Majer and Christopher Taylor) for implementing the invertebrate active surveillance program between 2010 and 2014. Thanks to Curtin University, the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum and many national and international taxonomists who undertook the invertebrate specimen identifications. Helix Molecular Solutions Pty Ltd undertook molecular analysis of scats and hair and chew cards. Thanks to Allan Cowie for GIS support and map production. The Gorgon Gas Development is operated by an Australian subsidiary of Chevron and is a joint venture of the Australian subsidiaries of Chevron (47.3%), ExxonMobil (25%), Shell (25%), Osaka Gas (1.25%), Tokyo Gas (1%) and JERA (0.417%).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, 250 St Georges Tce, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia

    Melissa L. Thomas, Nihara Gunawardene, Kristin Horton, Angus Williams, Simon O’Connor, Simon McKirdy & Johann van der Merwe

  2. School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia

    Melissa L. Thomas & Simon McKirdy

  3. Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Bentley, WA, 6845, Australia

    Nihara Gunawardene

  4. 256 St Georges Tce, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia

    Melissa L. Thomas

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  1. Melissa L. Thomas
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  2. Nihara Gunawardene
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Correspondence to Melissa L. Thomas.

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Melissa L. Thomas and Nihara Gunawardene shared first authorship.

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Thomas, M.L., Gunawardene, N., Horton, K. et al. Many eyes on the ground: citizen science is an effective early detection tool for biosecurity. Biol Invasions 19, 2751–2765 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-017-1481-6

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