CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT: Citizen Science Light Trapping in Grand Canyon

Let’s talk about citizen science. What do you know about citizen science?

    If we can describe about citizen science is public participation in scientific research. According to National Geography, citizen science is the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research knowledge.  This can help researchers in data retrieval. Not only for data retrieval, according to citizenscience.gov, amateur researchers or citizen science can also help the scientific process, addressing real-world problems in ways that may include formulating research questions, conducting scientific experiments, interpreting results, making new discoveries, developing technologies and applications, and solving complex problems.

sc: California Academy of Science ( calacademy.org ) 

    Currently, there are many platforms that are a place for researchers who need help from citizen science. Researchers usually upload projects that they will carry out. They will explain in detail what is needed and the purpose of the project. After that they will start looking for volunteers who will help them in their research. One of the citizen science projects that caught my attention was Citizen Science Light Trapping in Grand Canyon by Southwest Biological Science Center. I know this project from citizenscience.gov and after that I got the direct link to the website (usgs.gov). This project has been started since January 2017 and is still active today. 

sc: citizenscience.gov

sc: usgs.gov

    The project, which has been running for about 5 years, is about aquatic insects. In and near rivers, aquatic insects are an important part of the aquatic and terrestrial food web. Understanding their abundance and distribution through time and space is critical to determining an ecosystem's health. The findings show that hydropower production at Glen Canyon Dam limits the amount and diversity of aquatic insects in the Colorado River. Large hourly fluctuations in river discharge are caused by hydropower generation at Glen Canyon Dam, and these discharge waves generate an artificial intertidal zone along river banks that may be found >250 miles downstream, when the Colorado River reaches its next reservoir, Lake Mead. According to citizen science data, aquatic insects are over three times more prevalent in regions in the Grand Canyon where the Colorado River has daily low flows at dusk than in places where daily high flows occur at sunset.

sc: Public Domain (Credit: USGS/Freshwaters Illustrated.)

sc: Public Domain (Credit: USGS/Freshwaters Illustrated.)



Comments

  1. Muhammad Khotibul Umam14 January 2022 at 18:23

    its look amazing they can report citizen science with the little animal like insects, wow agreat information ranger vina

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  2. Umar Muchtar14 January 2022 at 18:55

    The Glan Canyon Dam is one of the largest dams in the world. This dam is capable of producing quite large hydroelectric power. I once made this dam as a comparative study with dams in Indonesia. the results show that the stronger the river currents, the more electricity is generated, but the interesting thing that I got was that the dam could become a tourist spot. Who would have thought that a dam built for certain purposes could be a source of state revenue. with development techniques and sophisticated technology used to make this dam a tourist destination and a place for rafting. of course with a strong current, making it difficult for aquatic animals to grow in the area. very informative ranger Vina...

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  3. Misbahul Aslam15 January 2022 at 10:02

    I commented on Muliana's Post on the related topic and my question was on how citizen science can be trusted for colleting the research data, as you answer my question here from you writing I would say thank you so much for providing me the info , that you address directly which is "according to citizenscience.gov, amateur researchers or citizen science can also help the scientific process, addressing real-world problems in ways that may include formulating research questions, conducting scientific experiments, interpreting results, making new discoveries, developing technologies and applications, and solving complex problems."

    Related to your specific citizen science project you wrote about here , the aquatic insects are just topic which is insightful for me. I appreciate this a lot , thank you VINA.......

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  4. abigailwilliamson15 January 2022 at 10:19

    Thanks for sharing this project about aquatic insects at the Grand Canyon Ranger Vina!

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  5. Savira15 January 2022 at 15:35

    Despite how small and unnoticed they are, I believe they also contribute a big part in food web and ecosystem. Thus, there would be no excuses not to protect them as well. I am glad that this project exists. It is always amazing how people can be interested and considerate in the smallest species on earth. This is also the reason why there is always an optimism in me.

    We should also consider a lot of aspects before building something that will surely affect our nature and animals. This, I believe can be limited by government's regulation. Thank you for the post!

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  6. Abdullah Syahira Antoni15 January 2022 at 17:14

    So far when people talk about insects people think of pests. However, the presence of water insects gives a new impression of how important this insect is, which has a different function compared to other insects. Water insects can be used as indicators of water quality. most insects can live in polluted water but not with water insects. then these insects can contribute to researchers about water conditions such as rivers.

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