Keys to Success: Assessing the Usefulness of Citizen Science Information in Drought-Related Decision Making

Abstract:

Citizen science has gained attention as an effective means to support ecological data collection. However, a greater understanding of how scientists and decision makers view the credibility, reliability, and usability of the information is needed. From 2013 to 2020, the Carolinas Integrated Sciences & Assessments (CISA) team assessed the usefulness of condition monitoring reports for drought-related decisions; the reports are provided by volunteers through the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network. In addition to daily precipitation measurements, CoCoRaHS volunteers submit condition monitoring reports to describe how recent weather conditions affect local environmental and social systems. In contrast to drought impact reports, submitted only when notable changes caused by a lack of rainfall occur, condition monitoring reports describe normal conditions and changes during periods of less or more rainfall, to create a basis for comparison. Launched in the Carolinas as a pilot project in September 2013, the program expanded to the national CoCoRaHS network in October 2016. Through June 2020, 4,889 observers submitted 59,016 reports. Several key features have contributed to the success of this citizen science project. 1) The project addressed a national need for systematic assessments of tools and methods used to collect and communicate drought impacts information. Evaluation methods included online surveys and group discussions with CoCoRaHS volunteers, qualitative and quantitative analyses of report content, and interviews with decision makers and report users. 2) Ongoing evaluation led to iterative improvements to the reporting process and report accessibility and usefulness. The team also investigated how the reports, which contain a wealth of local environmental knowledge, could be used beyond the initial design for drought monitoring. The decision-making context significantly shapes how, and the extent to which, users consider and apply condition monitoring reports. 3) The project relied on partnerships and outreach to create a sustainable monitoring system. Regular consultation with project partners, citizen scientists, and decision makers ensured that the project was complementary, not duplicative, of other efforts and incorporated lessons learned.