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Biodiversity monitoring is extremely important for estimating population trends of species over time and evaluating the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation actions...
Biodiversity monitoring is extremely important for estimating population trends of species over time and evaluating the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation actions employed in a given area. Given that Brazil is one of the countries with the greatest diversity of birds in the world, with 1,919 species, monitoring would be costly and require a large number of researchers. In this context, Citizen Science emerges as a tool to aid in understanding biodiversity. This concept is represented by a partnership between amateurs and scientists in collecting data on a large geographic scale and over a long period of time.
In 2014, SAVE Brasil created the Citizen Scientist Project, which, following the concepts of citizen science, operated in four Brazilian states (Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Paraná), recruiting experienced birdwatchers and training new enthusiasts. In total, by 2017, more than 1,600 people had participated in the project's activities. These groups managed to record 447 bird species (50% of all known birds in the Atlantic Forest), 43 of which are mentioned on lists of threatened birds (global, national, or state).
287 species were recorded in Boa Nova National Park-BA, 163 species in Rio de Janeiro (Tijuca National Park and Botanical Garden), 238 species in Salto Morato Natural Reserve-PR, and 202 species in Cantareira State Park-SP; all four regions are also Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). In addition to the Conservation Units, SAVE Brasil partnered with other institutions, allowing activities to be carried out in 14 more parks in the city and state of São Paulo. In the capital alone, we visited 10 parks between 2016 and 2017 in partnership with the city government through the Technical Division of Veterinary Medicine and Wildlife Management (DEPAVE-3) and the Bird Observatory of the Butantan Institute. Observers managed to record 157 bird species, about 1/3 of all known species in the city. The species observed during monitoring are entered into the eBird platform, created and managed by the Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University (USA). In Brazil, eBird has contributed to the knowledge of our bird species; the number of new users and the addition of lists demonstrates this.
In 2017, the project was one of the recipients of the Von Martius Sustainability Award in the Nature category. This award is promoted by the Brazil-Germany Chamber of Commerce through its Department of Environment, Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency, which recognizes the merit of initiatives by companies, public authorities, individuals and civil society that promote economic, social and cultural development in the context of sustainable development. Birdwatching allows ordinary citizens to engage and contribute to valuing, caring for and monitoring birds in conservation units, urban parks or any outdoor location. The generation of knowledge and contact with nature during a leisure activity brings concrete benefits to the participant, to the development of scientific knowledge and to environmental conservation. Plan ahead and participate in the next activity. For tips on how to become a Citizen Scientist, access our manual "Those who count more birds find more". To participate in the Citizen Scientist birdwatching events and many others, consult the Birdwatching and Ornithology Events Calendar. Check out the video for the I Love List campaign, part of the Citizen project.
Citizen Scientist
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Paulista Marsh Antwren
This project is part of the ASAS Program.
Planalto Dove
This project is part of the ASAS Program.
Alliance of the Pasture
Sustainable Fields Program
Flight Plan
This project is part of the ASAS Program.
Shorebirds
This project is part of the ASAS Program.
Piping guan
This project is part of the ASAS Program.
Northeastern Atlantic Forest
This project is part of the Forests Program.
Citizen Scientist
Biodiversity monitoring is extremely important for estimating trends.
Mutum-de-penacho
Esse Projeto faz parte do Programa ASAS
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