Speaker
Description
Citizen science (CS) has great potential to advance ecological stream monitoring and restoration. In our scoping study, we aim to investigate how existing CS stream monitoring approaches can best be used and adapted to monitor and implement stream restoration projects together with engaged citizens as a part of inclusive governance.
Effective freshwater monitoring and restoration requires not only scientific expertise and practical knowledge, but also the involvement of citizens and different stakeholders in freshwater protection measures. To foster knowledge and awareness about stream health and restoration benefits in local communities, we will establish CS monitoring activities at selected case studies of the EU freshwater restoration project MERLIN (https://project-merlin.eu/). These CS activities will be based on the German CS project FLOW (www.flow-projekt.de), which has mobilized and trained over 90 CS groups to assess the ecological status of small streams between 2021 and 2023. Results show that a large part of Germany’s small streams are in poor ecological status. Many FLOW groups are now motivated to take action to improve the health of their streams.
We will outline current activities to mainstream the well-tested FLOW method to other European countries. We will also illustrate how CS stream monitoring data can be used as an evidence base to plan and implement low-threshold stream restoration measures (e.g. planting native plants along stream banks, introducing gravel or dead wood to improve flow and substrate diversity). Together with citizen scientists and various stakeholders, we will develop a hands-on guideline for freshwater practitioners on how to successfully establish CS stream monitoring and restoration activities. By involving different stakeholders and tracking the impacts of land use and restoration efforts on freshwater streams, the CS activities can support local decision-making for sustainable water management and stream protection.
| Status Group | Other |
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