The world of citizen science can be used to collect massive amounts of data for science, which has been used by scientists to make incredible discoveries in space and even amass a wealth of knowledge about fungal diversity. On a trip to Portugal, writer Kristen Pope experiences how it can help boost conservation efforts across the globe.
Walking along the Cabril River in Portugal, I saw no sign of cute, fairytale-like woodland creatures like foxes or otters. Instead, I saw heaps of people, stretched out on blankets, picnicking and relaxing. Walking upstream, we found an area where we could do what we came for and collect water samples. Donning sterile blue gloves, we scooped water from the river, carefully filtered the samples, and gave them to our guide to send off for analysis. Soon, we would learn about the life inhabiting the area—all the life we weren’t able to see.
In the country with Exodus Travels on their ‘Walking and Wine’ adventure, the main focus had, so far, been exploring Portugal’s wine regions. We hiked in the Douro Valley, visited wineries and learned about wine cultivation.
But on this day, we were taking part in what scientists refer to as community or “citizen” science, which some companies in the travel industry are incorporating into trips. For our particular contribution, we were collecting freshwater samples to be analyzed in a lab. The hope is that participants and scientists alike can learn more about the animals that use the area through the environmental DNA that organisms leave behind.
Samples from the Cabril River, which flows as a tributary of the Tâmega River and then the Douro River further upstream detected 15 species, including five fish—one of which, the Douro nase (Pseudochondrostoma duriense), is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
The samples also revealed six amphibians, two birds, Red fox, and the Eurasian otter. Altogether, the DNA detected in the samples provides a fascinating insight into the hidden biodiversity of the area.
Scientists utilize data from community science projects to learn more and the volunteer scientists themselves sometimes make incredible discoveries. For example, NASA offers dozens of projects people can participate in, and more than 400 volunteer project participants have been named co-authors on refereed scientific publications.
Of course, collecting a sample while on vacation isn’t likely to lead to scientific authorship, but participating in this way can encourage people to learn more while allowing people to engage with science in a new way. The water samples I collected with my companions go to eBioAtlas, a program NatureMetrics and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are collaborating on to gather data to help promote conservation.
Citizen science groups who have taken part in research activities while vacationing on trips like these have detected an array of species. Samples collected in Italy’s Prosecco Hills in April showed evidence of 49 species, including the Critically Endangered European eel, plus six invasive species. This data can be invaluable in terms of furthering conservation aims.
“Knowing where species are helps us better protect [them] and put areas aside for specific kinds of protection,” says NatureMetrics conservation project manager Dr. Natalie Swan.
“It’s exciting to get to know a little bit more about biodiversity and wildlife, or life itself, in the places I’m walking. If we have the knowledge, we might help to build some solutions.”
- Lina Ferreira
The eDNA technology also offers a sometimes-surprising peek into what lives in the area. “eDNA can surprise you quite a lot because you don’t see the animals that you’re picking up in the data,” Swan says. “There [have] definitely been loads of examples of [surprises] that come up in the data.”
On one occasion, seawater collected off the coast of Sweden found camel DNA, much to the surprise of Swan and her colleagues. “It turns out there was a camel farm not far from where they were sampling, obviously on land, but essentially that DNA from the camels that were living nearby could easily get washed into the coastal waters,” says Swan. “So there are [instances] like that where we find [surprising results], we know it’s a really sensitive technology.”
The technology detects even the most minute samples of DNA—so great care must be taken during collection time to avoid cross-contamination. When my travel group was trained in sample collection, we were told the story about a sample that detected salmon DNA in a freshwater lake that was very unlikely to harbor the species. Upon further investigation, they traced the sample back to the sandwich the sample collector had eaten for lunch.
Collecting global data can involve lengthy logistical and bureaucratic challenges, sometimes involving governments and people who have faced exploitation. But with more robust data, these initiatives could boost conservation efforts around the world, and, in turn, traveling can become a more meaningful process for those taking part in citizen science.
Lina Ferreira, our tour guide in Portugal, has found that being able to lead citizen science tours is providing her with deeper insight into the biodiversity of her home country. “I am proud to be part of this project because it’s exciting to get to know a little bit more about biodiversity and wildlife, or life itself, in the places I’m walking,” Ferreira tells me.
She says she is concerned about conservation here, and sees promise in the data collection efforts. “If we have the knowledge, we might help to build some solutions, so I’m very grateful to have this opportunity,” she adds.
While looking ahead to find solutions is the focus of citizen science, the project is also a reminder to be mindful of what we as humans leave behind—whether it’s traces of our DNA, scraps of our lunch, our footsteps if we choose to veer off a path, or a contribution to a database that will help leave a biodiverse world for future generations. We live in a wider and interconnected world, and species are all around us—even if we can’t see them.
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The writer was a guest of Exodus Travels on the company’s ‘Walking and Wine’ tour.
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Kristen Pope is a freelance writer and editor who writes about outdoor adventure, travel, science and wildlife. She is a media member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association and is always planning her next adventure.
