More than a Bit of Fun: The Multiple Outcomes of a Bioblitz

Sofie Meeus; Iolanda Silva-Rocha; Tim Adriaens; Peter M J Brown; Niki Chartosia; Bernat Claramunt-López; Angeliki F Martinou; Michael J O Pocock; Cristina Preda; Helen E Roy; Elena Tricarico; Quentin J Groom

More than a Bit of Fun: The Multiple Outcomes of a Bioblitz

Sofie Meeus, Iolanda Silva-Rocha, Tim Adriaens, Peter M J Brown, Niki Chartosia, Bernat Claramunt-López, Angeliki F Martinou, Michael J O Pocock, Cristina Preda, Helen E Roy, Elena Tricarico, Quentin J Groom

Wildlife Management and Invasive Species

Research output: Contribution to journal › A1: Web of Science-article › peer-review

Abstract

Bioblitzes are a popular approach to engage people and collect biodiversity data. Despite this, few studies have actually evaluated the multiple outcomes of bioblitz activities. We used a systematic review, an analysis of data from more than 1000 bioblitzes, and a detailed analysis of one specific bioblitz to inform our inquiry. We evaluated five possible bioblitz outcomes, which were creating a species inventory, engaging people in biological recording, enhancing learning about nature, discovering a species new to an area, and promoting an organization. We conclude that bioblitzes are diverse but overall effective at their aims and have advantages over unstructured biodiversity recording. We demonstrate for the first time that bioblitzes increase the recording activity of the participants for several months after the event. In addition, we provide evidence that bioblitzes are effective at bringing people and organizations together to build communities of professionals and amateurs, critical for conserving and protecting biodiversity.

Original language	English
Journal	BIOSCIENCE
ISSN	0006-3568
Publication status	Published - 1-Mar-2023

Thematic List 2020

Invasive species

Access to Document

https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biac100Licence: CC BY

1 Active

Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science
Adriaens, T. (Project leader), Casaer, J. (Cooperator), D'hondt, B. (Cooperator), Hillaert, J. (Cooperator) & Reyserhove, L. (Cooperator)
3/07/18 → 31/12/24
Project: Evinbo

1 Conference Abstract
1 Paper/Powerpoint/Abstract
1 Contribution to INBO Nieuwsbrief

Bioblitzen stimuleren om blijvend natuurwaarnemingen te doen
Adriaens, T., 2023, In: INBO Nieuwsbrief. september 2023
Research output: Contribution to journal › Contribution to INBO Nieuwsbrief

Open Access
BioBlitz is More than a Bit of Fun
Meeus, S., Silva-Rocha, I., Adriaens, T., Brown, P. M., Chartosia, N., Claramunt López, B., Martinou, A., Pocock, M., Preda, C., Roy, H., Tricarico, E. & Groom, Q., 13-Sept-2021. 3 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper/Powerpoint/Abstract

Open Access
File
4050 Downloads (Pure)
The Bioblitz as a tool for engaging scientists and the public in invasive species monitoring
Silva-Rocha, I., Groom, Q., Meeus, S. & Adriaens, T., 15-Sept-2020, The Human Role in Biological Invasions : a case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?: Book of Abstracts. Jelaska, S. D. (ed.). Zagreb, Croatia, p. 147 1 p. P86
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Abstract

Open Access
File

Cite this

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title = "More than a Bit of Fun: The Multiple Outcomes of a Bioblitz",

abstract = "Bioblitzes are a popular approach to engage people and collect biodiversity data. Despite this, few studies have actually evaluated the multiple outcomes of bioblitz activities. We used a systematic review, an analysis of data from more than 1000 bioblitzes, and a detailed analysis of one specific bioblitz to inform our inquiry. We evaluated five possible bioblitz outcomes, which were creating a species inventory, engaging people in biological recording, enhancing learning about nature, discovering a species new to an area, and promoting an organization. We conclude that bioblitzes are diverse but overall effective at their aims and have advantages over unstructured biodiversity recording. We demonstrate for the first time that bioblitzes increase the recording activity of the participants for several months after the event. In addition, we provide evidence that bioblitzes are effective at bringing people and organizations together to build communities of professionals and amateurs, critical for conserving and protecting biodiversity.",

author = "Sofie Meeus and Iolanda Silva-Rocha and Tim Adriaens and Brown, {Peter M J} and Niki Chartosia and Bernat Claramunt-L{\'o}pez and Martinou, {Angeliki F} and Pocock, {Michael J O} and Cristina Preda and Roy, {Helen E} and Elena Tricarico and Groom, {Quentin J}",

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AU - Meeus, Sofie

AU - Silva-Rocha, Iolanda

AU - Adriaens, Tim

AU - Brown, Peter M J

AU - Chartosia, Niki

AU - Claramunt-López, Bernat

AU - Martinou, Angeliki F

AU - Pocock, Michael J O

AU - Preda, Cristina

AU - Roy, Helen E

AU - Tricarico, Elena

AU - Groom, Quentin J

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AB - Bioblitzes are a popular approach to engage people and collect biodiversity data. Despite this, few studies have actually evaluated the multiple outcomes of bioblitz activities. We used a systematic review, an analysis of data from more than 1000 bioblitzes, and a detailed analysis of one specific bioblitz to inform our inquiry. We evaluated five possible bioblitz outcomes, which were creating a species inventory, engaging people in biological recording, enhancing learning about nature, discovering a species new to an area, and promoting an organization. We conclude that bioblitzes are diverse but overall effective at their aims and have advantages over unstructured biodiversity recording. We demonstrate for the first time that bioblitzes increase the recording activity of the participants for several months after the event. In addition, we provide evidence that bioblitzes are effective at bringing people and organizations together to build communities of professionals and amateurs, critical for conserving and protecting biodiversity.

M3 - A1: Web of Science-article

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More than a Bit of Fun: The Multiple Outcomes of a Bioblitz

Abstract

Thematic List 2020

Access to Document

Projects

Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science

Research output

Bioblitzen stimuleren om blijvend natuurwaarnemingen te doen

BioBlitz is More than a Bit of Fun

The Bioblitz as a tool for engaging scientists and the public in invasive species monitoring

Cite this