Johann G. Zaller, Florian Heigl, Daniel Dörler, Benjamin Dauth

Johann G. Zaller, Florian Heigl, Daniel Dörler, Benjamin DauthInstitute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Austria

Combine these two concepts!Austrian Biodiversity Strategy 2020+ proposes to also implement Citizen Science approaches

Main aim• providing a timely and extensive overview of the status of

(selected) biodiversity issues

Even more important• involves and empowers participating citizens

Biodiversity & Citizen Sciencetwo buzzwords with many meanings

Currently hosts 20 projects with thousands of participants - started 3 months ago

Benefit for citizensOne single platform for citizen science in Austria

Benefits for project leaders• Efficient networking among peers• Organisation of conferences & workshops• Joint public relations & media activities

Benefits for all membersVery efficient interaction through multiplecommunication channels

The Austrian Platform for Citizen Sciencewww.citizen-science.at

Roadw w w . r o a d k i l l . a t

Magnitude of animal roadkills is unclear

Aims of the project• Getting an overview on the number and distribution of roadkills• Examining underlying causes• Awareness-raising for participants

Our visions• Identify hotspots and adress those areas• Reducing the number of roadkilled animals

Project RoadkillTowards more saftey for people and animals

Roadw w w . r o a d k i l l . a t

Roadkill identification easy

Use your Smartphone or Tablet1. Go to vote.boku.ac.at 2. Type in Voting ID: RQRJ 3. Type in your choice

Roadkill identification - easy

Choice A: Amphibian

Characteristics• vertebrate• permeable skin• aquatic live stage

Examplestoads, frogs, newts

Choice B: Mammal

Characteristics• vertebrate• hair• mammary glands

Examplesboars, hares, deer, fox

Choice C: Bird

Characteristics• vertebrate• feathers• beak

Examplesblackbird, owl, hawk

Choice D: Reptile

Characteristics• vertebrate• horny epidermis• no aquatic live stage

Examplessnake, lizards, turtle

1

A B C D

Roadw w w . r o a d k i l l . a t

Roadkill identification easy

Use your Smartphone or Tablet1. Go to vote.boku.ac.at 2. Type in Voting ID: HBKQ 3. Type in your choice

Roadkill identification - challenging 2

Choice A: Amphibian

Characteristics• vertebrate• permeable skin• aquatic live stage

Examplestoads, frogs, newts

Choice B: Mammal

Characteristics• vertebrate• hair• mammary glands

Examplesboars, hares, deer, fox

Choice C: Bird

Characteristics• vertebrate• feathers• beak

Examplesblackbird, owl, hawk

Choice D: Reptile

Characteristics• vertebrate• horny epidermis• no aquatic live stage

Examplessnake, lizards, turtle

A B C D

Roadw w w . r o a d k i l l . a t

Roadkill identification challenging

Use your Smartphone or Tablet1. Go to vote.boku.ac.at 2. Type in Voting ID: MJWF 3. Type in your choice

Roadkill identification - tough 3

Choice A: Amphibian

Characteristics• vertebrate• permeable skin• aquatic live stage

Examplestoads, frogs, newts

Choice B: Mammal

Characteristics• vertebrate• hair• mammary glands

Examplesboars, hares, deer, fox

Choice C: Bird

Characteristics• vertebrate• feathers• beak

Examplesblackbird, owl, hawk

Choice D: Reptile

Characteristics• vertebrate• horny epidermis• no aquatic live stage

Examplessnake, lizards, turtle

A B C D

Roadw w w . r o a d k i l l . a t

Roadkill identification tough

• Provides evidence for policymakers• Deals with environmental issues that directly affect citizens• Helps to halt the loss of biodiversity

Project RoadkillPolicy implications & benefits for biodiversity

We are ready for Europe and beyond!

Image Credits: Amphibian Tunnel (1) by ACO Wildlife, http://www.aco-wildlife.com

Imagine the future

Roadw w w . r o a d k i l l . a t

Results from the Citizen Science Project Roadkill feed into vehicle navigation systems and warn of roadkill hotspots.

Conclusion• Citizen Science is a fantastic tool to investigate

environmental problems• Project leaders and policy makers need to be aware

of its limitations• Citizen Science is not for free - it still needs experts

Citizen Science & BiodiversityLessons learned

Citizen Science Austriawww.citizen-science.at

office@citizen-science.at 0043 1 476 543 211

facebook.com/csaustria

twitter.com/csaustria

Project Roadkillwww.roadkill.at

office@roadkill.at 0043 1 476 543 211

facebook.com/project.roadkill

twitter.com/ProjektRoadkill

Contact

Roadw w w . r o a d k i l l . a t

Project Roadkill is powered by SPOTTERON, the easy to use smartphone app system for Citizen Science.www.spotteron.com

Scan this code

and download the app!

www.roadkill.at/app