Citizen Science and Freshwater - Resource Bundle

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Citizen Science and Freshwater

The FreshWater Watch project allows students from across the globe to easily monitor and protect the health of the rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, wetlands and reservoirs upon which we all depend.

This Bundle has 31 Resources.
Bundle Creator: earthwatch-admin


Related Topics: Citizen Science. Freshwater.

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Freshwater Heroes: Be a Water Detective with Citizen Science!

Freshwater Heroes: Be a Water Detective with Citizen Science!

Freshwater Heroes: Be a Water Detective with Citizen Science!

The Vital Role of Freshwater

The Vital Role of Freshwater What are the types of ecosystems? Why are freshwater bodies important?  Freshwater, though only 3% of Earth's water, is needed to sustain terrestrial life. It provides drinking water for 8 billion people.  Healthy freshwater ecosystems support countless plant and animal species .  

The Vital Role of Freshwater

Threats to Water

Threats to Water   Pollution: Industrial waste, agricultural run-off, and improper chemical disposal contaminate water sources. Unsustainable consumption: Extracting too much water, or too much during a short time, can lead to changes in the water cycle, such as alterations in water flow, levels, or quality,  and damage to  biodiversity in lakes and rivers.

Threats to Water

Citizen Science - Community in Action

Citizen Science - Community in Action Citizen science is a collaborative approach that enables individuals to contribute to scientific freshwater research by collecting data over potentially vast areas, providing a better understanding of environmental issues.  Citizen science is work undertaken by civic educators together with citizen communities to advance science, foster a broad scientific mentality, and encourage democratic engagement, which allows society to deal rationally with complex modern problems Definition

Citizen Science - Community in Action

Sharing Your Discoveries

Sharing Your Discoveries FreshWater Watch is an example of citizen science in action. By collecting water quality data, students can play a valuable role in protecting freshwater resources.

Sharing Your Discoveries

Cracking the Water Code

Cracking the Water Code Understanding the data we collect is vital! Here's what various water quality parameters can tell us: Water quality parameters measure various chemical, physical, and biological indicators nitrates, phosphates, and oxygen levels. Nitrates and Phosphates are nutrients that are essential for plant life and freshwater biodiversity. However, excess nitrates and phosphates can trigger harmful algal blooms. Eutrophication is harmful because it blocks sunlight from reaching underwater plants, and, in some cases, release toxins that are harmful to aquatic life. When the algae die, bacteria break them down, consuming large amounts of the oxygen dissolved in the water. This depletion of oxygen, known as hypoxia, can result in "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot survive due to the lack of oxygen . Eutrophication is a process in which excess nutrients accumulate in a body of water. Eutrophication increases the growth of aquatic plants and can lead to harmful algal blooms  Definition FreshWater Watch data location

Cracking the Water Code

The Power of Teamwork!

The Power of Teamwork! Millions of citizen scientists worldwide contribute valuable information. Citizen science data has a real impact: it has helped identify polluted waterways, leading to cleanup efforts. Long-term datasets inform water management practices and conservation strategies. If you become a citizen scientist, your contribution, combined with others’, can make a significant difference!

The Power of Teamwork!

Take Action!

Take Action! Become a Freshwater Hero! Test your local water source.

Take Action!

FreshWater Watch - Instruction video (EN)

This video linked to a transcript and translated into several languages provides step-by-step guidance on conducting water quality monitoring using the FreshWater Watch method. Learn how to collect and record accurate data, identify common water quality indicators, and contribute to vital scientific research. Perfect for citizen scientists, educators, and community groups eager to make a difference in protecting our freshwater resources.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEBaHW7b9Hk

Transcript: FreshWater Watch - Instruction video transcript [Timecode (mm:ss)] [00:01] Thank you for joining Earthwatch’s global community of FreshWater Watch citizen scientists. [00:07] By carrying out a few simple tests at a waterbody near you, you’ll be helping us to gather information on water quality worldwide on a scale never seen before… [00:17] … and by giving a little of your time today, your findings will enable us to understand how to protect our water for tomorrow. [00:25] In this training film, we’ll show you the quick and easy ways to: [00:29] prepare for your FreshWater Watch [00:31] carry out the simple scientific research when you’re at your location [00:35] and upload your data [00:38] The datasheet and instructions included in your FreshWater Watch pack will also walk you through the tasks. [00:47] When you’re getting ready to go, be sure to check the weather conditions - and dress appropriately. Don’t go if the weather would make your research hazardous. [00:56] We recommend that you make sure you have somebody to go with. It’s safer – and it’s more fun. [01:02] Pack all of the equipment you’ll need. That’s: [01:04] Your FreshWater Watch kit [01:06] Your smart device with the Freshwater Watch app (or data sheet and pencil) [01:11] And a water collector. [01:13] Also, bring a stopwatch, or way of checking the time. [01:17] For your safety you must also wear protective gloves, and you should bring a first aid kit. [01:24] Once you reach your chosen water body, start up your Freshwater app or get your data sheet ready to fill out. Note down your location and the name of your water body – if it doesn’t already have a name, give it one yourself! [01:38] Note the latitude and longitude. If your smart device does not log this automatically, you should add it later using the online map when you upload your data. [01:48] Fill in the date, and the total number of participants, and tell us what type of water body you’re visiting. [01:57] Now take a photo of the site. Try to include the water level, the surrounding vegetation, and any pollution sources or signs of land use. [02:06] If you’re taking a picture of a river, make sure you’re looking upstream so we can see the sort of environment the water that you are testing has come from. [02:15] Try to take your photo from the same place each time you come back to this site to collect data. [02:24] Now you need to make a few simple observations. [02:28] First, identify what might be impacting your waterbody, such as pollution sources, and what you can see in the immediate surroundings today, like any wildlife. [02:38] Then assess the speed of the water flow. Is it still; is it slow; is it steady – a walking speed; or is it surging – faster than a walking speed? [02:49] You could drop a twig in the water to help you assess this. [02:56] Estimate the water level. Is it high, average or low? Look out for clues such as water marks and branches which might help you work out past water height. [03:09] Now estimate the water colour. Look across the waterbody rather than directly down into it and try to ignore the colour of submerged vegetation or the reflection from the sky. [03:21] Next, tell us if you can see anything floating on the surface such as foam, algae, litter, or an oily sheen. [03:31] When you’re ready to test the water, put on your gloves, and make sure you collect from somewhere stable and safe. [03:40] Rinse your collection container twice using water from the waterbody, then take your sample from below the water line. Try not to disturb any sediment when doing this. [03:56] Testing for nitrates and phosphates helps us understand how urbanisation, industry and agriculture might be impacting on the water. To test for these nutrients: [04:05] Rinse your sample cup twice in the test water before carefully filling it to the halfway line. This is 1.5mililitres. [04:13] Take the nitrate tube and pull the pin out. Put the pin somewhere to dispose of properly later. [04:23] Squeeze the air out of the tube, then keeping it compressed, place the end into the base of the sample cup, and release it to suck up all of the water. [04:34] Shake it lightly and start a timer for three minutes. The reagent in the tube will react with the water, and change colour to show how much nitrate is in the water sample. [04:45] Once the three minutes are up, place the tube against the white background of the nitrate colour chart between the two colours which most closely match the water in the tube. [04:54] Be sure to do this out of direct sunlight and without wearing sunglasses. [04:59] Now record this range on the datasheet, or your FreshWater Watch app. [05:05] The process is exactly the same for the phosphate tube, except this one takes five minutes to develop. Place the tube against the phosphate colour chart to get your range. [05:17] Keep the full tubes with you for safe disposal later. [05:25] Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water caused by particles in the water such as sediment or algae. [05:33] To test turbidity, take your water sample and pour it slowly into your Secchi tube. [05:38] As you pour, look directly down at the black and white target at the bottom of the tube. As the water fills up very slowly, this disc may become less visible. [05:48] When you can no longer see the disc, read the number that has been reached on the tube. This is the Secchi depth to record on your data sheet. [06:00] Be sure to do this out of direct sunlight and without wearing sunglasses. [06:06] You need the number at the lowest point you can’t see the pattern anymore, so try and be as accurate as possible, you might have to remove some water to find this exact point. [06:16] If you can still see the disc when the tube is full, record this as less than 14 on your data sheet. [06:26] You can send your findings from your testing location, or save them to send when you have an internet connection. You can also edit your uploaded data through your FreshWater Watch profile if you need to. If you filled in a data sheet, be sure to upload your data next time you’re online. [06:44] And that’s it! You’ve collected your first dataset. You should carry out FreshWater Watch a minimum of 4 times per year to capture seasonal variations. [06:56] We’ll share your findings with governments, policymakers, businesses and agencies worldwide. So the more data you collect, the better picture we can get of water quality worldwide, and the more informed we will be to take action to safeguard good quality freshwater for the future.

FreshWater watch: Instruction manual _0

FreshWater watch: Instruction manual _0

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FreshWater watch: Instruction manual _2

FreshWater watch: Instruction manual _1

FreshWater watch: Instruction manual _1

Case Study : FreshWater Watch

Case Study : FreshWater Watch Understanding Citizen Science

Case Study : FreshWater Watch

Original Slide Deck: Freshwater watch - A case study

Why is it Important?

Why is it Important? Citizen science allows large amounts of data to be collected by engaging communities directly. It empowers everyday people to contribute to meaningful scientific projects and address societal issues. What is Citizen Science? Citizen science is work undertaken by civic educators together with citizen communities to advance science, foster a broad scientific mentality, and encourage democratic engagement, which allows society to deal rationally with complex modern problems. ( Ceccaroni, 2017 ) Definition

Why is it Important?

Original Slide Deck: Freshwater watch - A case study

Introduction to FreshWater Watch

Introduction to FreshWater Watch What is FreshWater Watch? FreshWater Watch is a global citizen science project focused on monitoring freshwater health in rivers, lakes, and ponds. The project involves people around the world collecting data on local waterways to help scientists understand and protect these ecosystems. What do participants do? Observe: Participants look for signs of pollution, animals, and plants around a water source. Test water chemistry: They measure nutrients like nitrates and phosphates using FreshWater Watch kits. Measure water clarity: Secchi tubes help participants check turbidity, an indicator of water health. Why might participants be motivated to join a project like FreshWater Watch? Reflect

Introduction to FreshWater Watch

Original Slide Deck: Freshwater watch - A case study

Why FreshWater Watch Matters

Why FreshWater Watch Matters Scientific benefits Massive data collection: With over 21,000 data points, FreshWater Watch helps scientists see patterns in water quality. Improved understanding: Data from citizen scientists helps identify issues and guide interventions. Societal benefits Community awareness: Engages people to care about their local environment, often leading to behavioural changes. Informs policy: Data collected can influence local policies, helping communities make informed decisions on water protection. 21,000 datasets collected 37 catchments across the globe 8,000 citizen scientists trained 2,500 ecosystems monitored 30,000 hours of research How do you think citizen science benefits both science and society? Reflect

Why FreshWater Watch Matters

Original Slide Deck: Freshwater watch - A case study

How Quality Data is Ensured

How Quality Data is Ensured While challenges may arise, scientists are committed to ensuring they get the best data possible Common errors: Sampling bias: Where samples are collected might affect results. Method weaknesses: Some methods miss details. Errors following steps: Small mistakes can happen. Data upload errors: Mistakes when entering data. How to minimise mistakes: Clear instructions: Training and reminders help everyone understand the process. Reliable method design: Steps are planned carefully. Data checking: Review data after it’s collected and uploaded. By following these steps, The data collected can be used by scientists! What challenges could arise in citizen science projects, and how could they be addressed? Reflect

How Quality Data is Ensured

Original Slide Deck: Freshwater watch - A case study

Why Do People Participate?

Why Do People Participate? Benefits for participants Learning and awareness: 98% of participants reported understanding their environment better after joining FreshWater Watch. Behavioural change: 95% of participants said they changed their habits to conserve water. Community action and advocacy Some participants become long-term contributors, advocating for local environmental changes and influencing policies. How can data on freshwater be used to support local water protection policies? Reflect

Why Do People Participate?

Original Slide Deck: Freshwater watch - A case study

What Can You Do?

What Can You Do? Get Involved in Citizen Science Look for citizen science projects in your area or online (e.g., Zooniverse or iNaturalist). Start with small steps like observing your local environment or joining a biodiversity project. Consider the Impact Think about how your contribution can help scientists understand and protect the world around us. Every data point you collect adds to a bigger picture that can make a real difference.

What Can You Do?

Original Slide Deck: Freshwater watch - A case study

Conclusions

Conclusions Curious users Behaviour Change: Participation can inspire positive actions and choices. Data into Policy: Information collected helps shape decisions and policies. Super users Community Action: Working together on projects to improve local areas. Advocacy for Policy Change: Using science and data to influence important decisions. Science Engagement Collaboration Improved monitoring Increased public involvement Improved environmental management Impactful project outcomes + = Effective citizen science

Conclusions

Original Slide Deck: Freshwater watch - A case study

Introduction to Citizen Science _0

Introduction to Citizen Science _0

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