Marine Biodiversity Networking Friday: The role of participatory methodologies in large-scale biodiversity monitoring: present status and future opportunities
On July 10, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM UTC+0, we will host a special session with Jaume Piera focusing on the role of participatory methodologies in large-scale biodiversity monitoring.
Public participation in research is by far one of the main and cost-effective sources for big data and knowledge production in biodiversity monitoring. However, there are still some concerns about the quality of the reported data from volunteers. In recent years, “quality” has been extended as a multidimensional concept. Accurate observations for understanding the biodiversity status and dynamics should be considered as one of the important components, but others may play a key role in biodiversity pattern identification: completeness (maximisation of the number of observations per unit time or space), or timeliness (early identification of target species) are two examples of new components to consider in this extended multidimensional quality concept. In this presentation, these concepts will be discussed, particularly in the framework of two EU projects: the outcomes from the ANERIS, which will end this year, and the challenges addressed in the BEAGLE, to start in October.
Speakers
Jaume Piera
Senior Researcher, Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), SP
Jaume Piera is the head of the EMBIMOS research group, which coordinates the management of the MINKA participatory observatory. He has combined his naturalist vocation with a multidisciplinary training (he has a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, a master’s degree in Biology at the University of Barcelona and a doctorate doing research in Environmental Physics at the University of Girona). He is the coordinator of the EU ANERIS project (operAtional seNsing lifE technologies for maRIne ecosystemS) where many life sensing technologies were combined to produce the first Operational Marine Biology products, and he will participate in the upcoming EU project BEAGLE (Biodiversity methods for advanced monitoring at large scales) that will start in October 2026.
Moderator
Brendan O´Connor
Support Scientist, NASA’s Crowdsourcing GLOBE Program (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment), USA
Brendan has over 25 years of experience working in fields relating to environmental science, with a strong emphasis on participatory sciences. Originally from Ireland, Brendan is now based at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. As a Support Scientist within the Crowdsource team, he presents data-driven insights to align GLOBE Program (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) protocols with NASA missions. He also works with SeaBASS data management activities and on the FORTE campaign. Prior to joining NASA, he worked as a Regional Volunteer Program Biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. His background includes a master’s in Biological Oceanography from the College of Marine Science, University of South Florida; a master’s in Environmental Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast; and a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of Limerick.
We will continue with the Networking Fridays during the next months. More information about future sessions as well as presentations and videos from previous sessions can be found here. Please do not forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Twitter Hashtag: #netfridays. Expect some very exciting mornings, afternoons or evenings, depending on where you are…
If you need any additional information please send an email to Catarina Paes Duarte.
