Community Science in Ecology

This book introduces community science (or citizen science) projects in Japan with a focus on ecology. Environments and ecosystems that have been slowly built up over time are changing and collapsing dramatically. In this rapidly changing environment, ecologists need to collaborate with volunteers in their research and activities to investigate and conserve a vast area. This book aims to guide ecologists in the practice of community science. The authors, who are leading ecologists and practitioners of community science projects, share their methods and lessons learned from practice.

The book begins with the definition of community science and the following chapters introduce monitoring in ecological community science, using various methods such as observation, specimens, photographs, videos, sounds, and environmental DNA. Readers can learn about the advantages and disadvantages of these methods in ecological community science monitoring. The book also covers topics such as scientific communication, data obtained from ecological community science monitoring, the rights of participants, decision-making in community science, and conservation activities with volunteers such as invasive alien species extermination and nature restoration.