European projects

Biodiversity monitoring can be done at different levels (national, regional, local) and organised by several types of organisations (including, inter alia, non-governmental organizations, private persons, national agencies, universities and museums). The information collected can cover information on populations and biodiversity, such as species occurrence, phenology etc. The methodological guidelines can range from rigorous manuals to allow for standardisation of the data reported to little guidance for observation schemes mainly targeted for public awareness.

The following overview of European biodiversity monitoring schemes using citizen science presents examples of initiatives at European and national level in different countries. The purpose of the list is to illustrate the diversity of subjects and approaches to biodiversity based on observation schemes involving volunteers in Europe. The list is not comprehensive, but represents input received from an Eionet consultation involving the by then 32 member and 7 cooperating countries of the EEA.

There were identified and described 115 biodiversity schemes in 24 countries, using citizen science (two of them encompassing a number of schemes, not everyone related to biodiversity). In citizen science reporting schemes for biodiversity, those devoted to general flora and fauna are the most common (22 %), followed by those dedicated to birds (19 %), invasive alien species (13 %) and butterflies (8  %). Also 8 % of the schemes (almost 10 % including those dealing with marine invasive alien species) are especially designed for the marine environment.

Here you will find a compilation of biodiversity reporting monitoring and information schemes that use citizen science at the European level and in European countries:

• European biodiversity monitoring schemes using citizen science