Revealing biases in insect observations: A comparative analysis between academic and citizen science data.

ABSTRACT: Citizen Science is a powerful tool for biodiversity research, as it facilitates data recording at large scales that would otherwise be impossible to cover by standard academic research. Despite its benefits, the accuracy of citizen science data remains a subject of concern among scientists, with varying results reported so far. Neither citizen science data nor academic records are immune to biases, which can significantly impact the quality and reliability of observations. Here, using insects in the Iberian Peninsula as a case study, we compare data collected by participatory platforms to those obtained through academic research projects, and assess their taxonomic, spatial, temporal, and environmental biases. Results show a prominent taxonomic bias in both academic and citizen science dat

SUBMITTER: Diaz-Calafat J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11257294 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature