Engaging the broader community in biodiversity research: the concept of the COMBER pilot project for divers in ViBRANT

• DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.150.2149
• Publication Date: 2011-11-28T17:46:01Z
• Authors: Christos Arvanitidis; Sarah Faulwetter; Georgios Chatzige...; Lyubomir Penev; Olaf Bánki; Thanos Dailianis; Evangelos Pafilis; Michail Kouratoras; Eva Chatzinikolaou; Lucia Fanini; Aikaterini Vasile...; Christina Pavloudi; Panagiotis Vavilis; Panagiota Koulouri; Costas Dounas
• Keywords: Citizen Science; Promotion (chess)

This paper discusses the design and implementation of a citizen science pilot project, COMBER (Citizens' Network for Observation Marine BiodivERsity, http://www.comber.hcmr.gr), which has been initiated under ViBRANT EU e-infrastructure. It is designed implemented divers snorkelers who are interested in participating marine biodiversity projects. shows necessity engaging broader community monitoring research projects, networks initiatives. analyses stakeholders, industry relevant markets involved diving activities their potential to sustain these activities. The principles, including data policy rewards through own data, upon this project based thoroughly discussed. results users analysis lessons learned so far presented. Future plans include promotion, links with web developments, publishing tools, development new scientific hypotheses be tested by collected far.