Dear EarthTalk:

How is crowdsourcing of data gathering helping us keep track of environmental issues and stave off problems?

Doug Winchester, Boston, MA

Crowdsourcing is transforming how we monitor ecological challenges by harnessing the collective efforts of individuals, communities and organizations. This approach generates extensive and diverse datasets, and has greatly improved our detection, understanding and respond to pressing environmental issues.

One powerful example is the early detection of wildfires. Tools like FireLoc, developed at the University of Southern California, employ low-cost mobile devices equipped with cameras and sensors in fire-prone areas. These devices gather visual and environmental data, which is processed by artificial intelligence to detect fires in real time, enabling firefighters to act quickly, reducing the risk of catastrophic damage.

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Crowdsourcing has also enhanced earthquake monitoring. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre combines seismic data with reports from users through apps and social media. This allows the identification and location of earthquakes faster, ensuring timely public alerts and emergency responses.

Coastal flooding, a growing threat due to climate change, is another area where crowdsourcing plays a critical role. Apps like CRIS-HAZARD enable residents to report flooding as it happens, providing emergency planners with real-time data. This improves resource allocation and strengthens disaster preparedness, ultimately helping communities respond more effectively to storms and hurricanes.

Deforestation is also being tackled with the help of crowdsourcing that lets participants analyze satellite imagery, which reveals patterns and drivers of forest loss, which in turn feeds into deforestation maps used by policymakers to design focused conservation strategies, protecting irreplaceable ecosystems.

Biodiversity monitoring has also benefited from crowdsourcing. Platforms like iSpot encourage individuals to share observations of plants and animals, creating a rich database of species information that supports conservation, raises public awareness and fosters a deeper connection to nature.

Water quality monitoring, crucial for both environmental and human health, has been improved through a combination of crowdsourced data and AI tools. Satellite data and user-submitted reports help identify pollution events and track climate-induced changes in aquatic systems. This enables timely interventions to safeguard ecosystems and public well-being.

By fostering public engagement and providing richer datasets than traditional methods, crowdsourcing has become an invaluable tool, offering innovative solutions to pressing issues. As participation grows and technology evolves, its potential to address global environmental challenges will only increase.

CONTACTS

• FireLoc, https://fireloc.org/
• iSpot, https://www.ispotnature.org/.

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