Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159607
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Citizen science for assessing pesticide impacts in agricultural streams
Author von Gönner, J.; Bowler, D.E.; Gröning, J.; Klauer, A-K.; Liess, M.; Neuer, L.; Bonn, A. ORCID logo
Source Titel Science of the Total Environment
Year 2023
Department OEKOTOX; iDiv; ESS
Volume 857, Part B
Page From art. 159607
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
T9 Healthy Planet
Supplements https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0048969722067079-mmc1.pdf
Keywords Small streams; Citizen science; Pesticide monitoring; Data accuracy; Macroinvertebrates; Hydromorphology
Abstract The majority of central European streams are in poor ecological condition. Pesticide inputs from terrestrial habitats present a key threat to sensitive insects in streams. Both standardized stream monitoring data and societal support are needed to conserve and restore freshwater habitats. Citizen science (CS) offers potential to complement international freshwater monitoring while it is often viewed critically due to concerns about data accuracy. Here, we developed a CS program based on the Water Framework Directive that enables citizen scientists to provide data on stream hydromorphology, physicochemical status and benthic macroinvertebrates to apply the trait-based bio-indicator SPEARpesticides for pesticide exposure. We compared CS monitoring data with professional data across 28 central German stream sites and could show that both CS and professional monitoring identified a similar average proportion of pesticide-sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa per stream site (20 %). CS data were highly correlated to the professional data for both stream hydromorphology and SPEARpesticides (r = 0.72 and 0.76). To assess the extent to which CS macroinvertebrate data can indicate pesticide exposure, we tested the relationship of CS generated SPEARpesticides values and measured pesticide concentrations at 21 stream sites, and found a fair correlation similar to professional results. We conclude that given appropriate training and support, citizen scientists can generate valid data on the ecological status and pesticide contamination of streams. By complementing official monitoring, data from well-managed CS programs can advance freshwater science and enhance the implementation of freshwater conservation goals.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=26719
von Gönner, J., Bowler, D.E., Gröning, J., Klauer, A-K., Liess, M., Neuer, L., Bonn, A. (2023):
Citizen science for assessing pesticide impacts in agricultural streams
Sci. Total Environ. 857, Part B , art. 159607 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159607