Citizen science networks for waterbird monitoring: Case study of the Asian Waterbird Census in Indonesia

Abstract

Citizen science is a public participation research involving citizen participation, whose outcomes are often advancements in scientific research and increase the public's understanding. This study is aimed to identify the characteristics of volunteers who joined the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), a part of the long-term global annual monitoring initiative by Wetlands International. Data were gathered through analysis of documentations (year 2015-2019), observation, and deep interview. The number of participants has increased, with the highest was 379 persons in 2019 (an average of 233 persons/year), with half comprised of university graduates (Bachelor or above). There were 5 types of groups involved in AWC: student/universities (34%), NGOs (27%), individuals (19%), government employees (16%), and private sectors (3%). Females' participation was quite high (43%). About 18% of participants and 44% of the groups, have been joining AWC at least twice, indicating that AWC was an interesting activity. Reasons to join were identified as: increasing personal values, personal scientific development, strengthening social relationships/networks, recreational, and develop a career. Information on AWC schedules was obtained mostly through social media Whatsapp (35%) and Facebook (32%), the organizer (i.e. Wetlands International Indonesia; 37%) and participants' networks (37%). About 73% of the participants were able to observe less than 100 bird species. Participants' constraints during the AWC were ability of bird identification, limitation of proper equipment, and low accessibility to potential observation sites. Our study indicated that understanding the characteristics of participants might help to improve the citizen science program, as well as to recruit and retain volunteers.