Evaluating Crowdsourced Distribution Data: The Portneuf Drainage Amphibian and Reptile iNaturalist Project.
Faculty Mentor Information
Charles R Peterson, Patrick D Giltz
Abstract
The objective of this project is to evaluate crowdsourced distribution data obtained with the iNaturalist app for amphibians and reptiles from the Portneuf Drainage. We imported observation data from the iNaturalist website into a project defined by the Portneuf Drainage boundary in southeastern Idaho. We exported data from our iNaturalist project to ArcGIS and Excel for mapping and analysis and compared those data with previous museum and survey data. Thirty observers contributed 100 observations, thus increasing the size of our database by over 20%. Three of the 3 amphibian species and 6 of the 9 reptile species known to still occur in the drainage were observed. We plan to compare the cover types, areas sampled, and land ownership of the different types of records (i.e., museum, surveys, and crowdsourced). This additional data will help the Idaho Department of Fish and Game evaluate the status and trends of amphibians and reptiles so they can better conserve and manage them. The results should also help researchers evaluate the effects of urban growth and land use on ecosystem services provided by these species.
Evaluating Crowdsourced Distribution Data: The Portneuf Drainage Amphibian and Reptile iNaturalist Project.
The objective of this project is to evaluate crowdsourced distribution data obtained with the iNaturalist app for amphibians and reptiles from the Portneuf Drainage. We imported observation data from the iNaturalist website into a project defined by the Portneuf Drainage boundary in southeastern Idaho. We exported data from our iNaturalist project to ArcGIS and Excel for mapping and analysis and compared those data with previous museum and survey data. Thirty observers contributed 100 observations, thus increasing the size of our database by over 20%. Three of the 3 amphibian species and 6 of the 9 reptile species known to still occur in the drainage were observed. We plan to compare the cover types, areas sampled, and land ownership of the different types of records (i.e., museum, surveys, and crowdsourced). This additional data will help the Idaho Department of Fish and Game evaluate the status and trends of amphibians and reptiles so they can better conserve and manage them. The results should also help researchers evaluate the effects of urban growth and land use on ecosystem services provided by these species.