One of the most damaging invasive species in the oceans has breached a major barrier – the Amazon-Orinoco river plume – and is spreading along Brazil’s coast. Scientists are trying to catch up.
Evaluating what citizen science is involves looking at the concept of science itself.
Charles F. Kaye/Shutterstock
The first comprehensive audit of marine life around Australia, deploying an army of volunteer research divers alongside scientists, has revealed southern reefs are suffering the most.
These stowaways can do a lot of damage.
Brett L./ Flickr
Invasive species cause billions of dollars in damage across the US every year. Hikers and backpackers can take simple steps to avoid spreading seeds and making the problem worse.
The first online photograph of Wurmbea dilatata, a small perennial herb found along the west coast of Western Australia.
Thomas Mesaglio
Almost 4,000 Australian plant species have never been photographed in the field, particularly in remote corners of the country. Without a proper record, they could die out without us even knowing.
Researchers encourage citizen scientists to contribute to datasets on animal deaths caused by infrastructure. This will inform efforts to reduce the human impact on biodiversity.
People travel hundreds or thousands of miles and spend a fortune to see the night sky in all its splendor. But we are literally blocking out the cosmic beauty above our homes.
There would be no life on Earth without invertebrates, but they are understudied and underappreciated. The Bug of the Year competition aims to change that, so have your say and vote!
A squadron of reef manta rays at a feeding site in Raja Ampat.
It’s important that citizen science projects engage volunteers from across society, including young people. A new Australian initiative is doing just that.
Twitter itself produces a lot of data that’s available nowhere else.
STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images
If Twitter were to go dark, with it would go a valuable source of data as well as a means of sharing information relied on by activists, journalists, public health officials and scientists.
The iconic monarch butterfly has been added to the Red List of endangered species, but hasn’t received protection in the US yet. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.