CITIZENS FOR SDG 15.1 – Unlocking potential of citizen science in nature protection

Literature data indicated that Monument of Nature Ribnica is too small (28 ha) and that it should be expanded since different parts of Ribnica gorge, which are very rich in biodiversity, are still unprotected and therefore subjected to different risk factors. The main risk factors are planned dam construction in unprotected part of the gorge (upstream of the protected area) and pollution from different sources.

Serbia is among the European countries which have the least protected areas in Europe (39th place among 40 countries). According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), the EU has on average 25 % of land as protected areas. In Serbia this percentage is around 8 % and process of protection of areas is very slow (it can last up to 10 years). An innovative approach needed to be found in order to solve this problem.

The project tested the potential of citizen science to respond to the problem – how to overcome a lack of resources and to provide data about biodiversity in a fast and economically acceptable way. Citizen science also increases the interest of citizens for nature and research and motivates them to be involved more in decision making processes related to nature.

During this project a community of citizen scientists was created, which was a crucial step for stronger involvement of citizens in decision making processes. The implementation of the project had two main sets of activities: 1. collaboration between citizen scientists and scientists from academic institutions in order to conduct desk and field research on biodiversity in the wider area around the protected area. 2. advocacy campaign in order to start the procedure for area protection.

Scientists from the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, provided expert support during the field work and data management, species determination and writing of publications. This project was supported by IMPETUS project funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101058677.

We submitted data-based recommendations for expansion of the protected area Monument of Nature Ribnica to the institution in charge of this issue. The proposed area for protection is around 5 times bigger than the current protected area. Data also showed that this area has a much higher diversity than it was detected before and that it is refugium place for the biodiversity.

Citizen science is not a widely recognized/known approach in research of protected areas in Serbia. Working with citizens demands the adaptation of methodologies and scientific vocabulary, so the education level or age does not present the obstacle for participation in research. There were some limitations during the field work because of the accessibility of locations for all people (cave research which demand equipment and training).

Citizen science is great way to work in/around protected area – it provides a lot of data, increases the interest of citizens for nature and decision making processes and promotes protected areas in wider public. Expert support and cooperation between citizen scientists and scientists from academic institutions is highly recommended, due to demands for high data quality and training of citizens for implementation of research methodologies.