Work

Citizen Science as a Tool in the Biomonitoring of Freshwater Ecosystems Using Aquatic Insects

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Anthropogenic pressures and climate change have increasingly affected biodiversity and ecosystem services, particularly in freshwater ecosystems, which are among the most sensitive and vulnerable environments. Citizen science has emerged as a promising approach to expand ecological knowledge and strengthen biomonitoring efforts, mitigating the limitations of conventional research in scale, cost, and speed. This study presents a global bibliometric analysis of citizen science applied to freshwater biomonitoring using aquatic insects. A total of 153 articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, published between 2002 and 2025, were analyzed. Results reveal a marked increase in publications since 2010, concentrated mainly in the Global North, especially the United States (37.51%) and Germany (14.42%). The most frequent taxa were Odonata (25.58%) and Diptera (25.19%), with studies focusing primarily on species (70.59%) level, and adult stage (69%). Participants were mainly from the general public (70%) and naturalists (12%), predominantly under contributory models (98%). Reported challenges involved taxonomic limitations (28%) and citizen science engagement (28%). Despite these constraints, the findings highlight the growing relevance of citizen science as a complementary tool for aquatic biomonitoring, emphasizing the need for inclusive approaches, taxonomic training, and participatory strategies in biodiversity conservation.

Source: Conservation

DOI: 10.3390/conservation5040075