Taxonomic & data-quality challenges of large-scale citizen science: Examples from

Marshall J. Iliff, eBird Project Leader

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Observations

Checklists

Growth in eBird Observations & Checklists

In 2009, volunteers contributed more than 780,000 hours collecting bird observations.

The eBird Taxonomy (v1.05)

• User familiarity is the goal

• Familiar Clements 6.4 is base global taxonomy

• Follows recognized regional authorities for taxonomic and nomenclatural decisions

• Standardized English and Scientific Names for all taxa

• Translations in other languages

• http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/ebird-taxonomy for download

• Personal support for taxonomic questions

The eBird Taxonomy (v1.05)

• User familiarity is the goal

• Familiar Clements 6.4 is base global taxonomy

• Follows recognized regional authorities for taxonomic and nomenclatural decisions

• Standardized English and Scientific Names for all taxa

• Translations in other languages

• http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/ebird-taxonomy for download

• Personal support for taxonomic questions

The eBird Taxonomy (v1.05)

• User familiarity is the goal

• Familiar Clements 6.4 is base global taxonomy

• Follows recognized regional authorities for taxonomic and nomenclatural decisions

• Standardized English and Scientific Names for all taxa

• Translations in other languages

• http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/ebird-taxonomy for download

• Personal support for taxonomic questions

The eBird Taxonomy (v1.05)

• User familiarity is the goal

• Familiar Clements 6.4 is base global taxonomy

• Follows recognized regional authorities for taxonomic and nomenclatural decisions

• Standardized English and Scientific Names for all taxa

• Translations in other languages

• http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/ebird-taxonomy for download

• Personal support for taxonomic questions

The eBird Taxonomy (v1.05)

• User familiarity is the goal

• Familiar Clements 6.4 is base global taxonomy

• Follows recognized regional authorities for taxonomic and nomenclatural decisions

• Standardized English and Scientific Names for all taxa

• Translations in other languages

• http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/ebird-taxonomy for download

• Personal support for taxonomic questions

The eBird Taxonomy (v1.05)

• User familiarity is the goal

• Familiar Clements 6.4 is base global taxonomy

• Follows recognized regional authorities for taxonomic and nomenclatural decisions

• Standardized English and Scientific Names for all taxa

• Translations in other languages

• http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/ebird-taxonomy for download

• Personal support for taxonomic questions

The eBird Taxonomy (v1.05)

• User familiarity is the goal

• Familiar Clements 6.4 is base global taxonomy

• Follows recognized regional authorities for taxonomic and nomenclatural decisions

• Standardized English and Scientific Names

for all taxa

• Translations in other languages

• http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/ebird-taxonomy for download

• Personal support for taxonomic questions

The eBird Taxonomy

Taxa: 11,920 eBird 1.05

The eBird Taxonomy

Taxa: 11,920 10,005Species: e.g., Ivory Gull

eBird 1.05

The eBird Taxonomy

Taxa: 11,920 10,005Species:

eBird 1.05

Ssp. groups: e.g., “Western” Willet 1333

The eBird Taxonomy

Taxa: 11,920 10,005Species:

eBird 1.05

Ssp. groups:

Spuhs: e.g., Empidonax sp.

1333435

The eBird Taxonomy

Taxa: 11,920 10,005Species:

eBird 1.05

Ssp. groups:

Spuhs:

Hybrids: e.g., Snowy Egret x Tricolored Heron

1333435113

The eBird Taxonomy

Taxa: 11,920 10,005Species:

eBird 1.05

Ssp. groups:

Spuhs:

Hybrids:

1333435113

Others: e.g., “Domestic” Mallard, undescribed species

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eBird Data Quality: Crowdsourcing

• 1100 automated filters check every submission

• Flagged records require validation

• ~300 experts vet all flagged records and request voucher material when needed

• ~1,000,000 record reviewed annually; 67% accepted

eBird Data Quality: Crowdsourcing

• 1100 automated filters check every submission

• Flagged records require validation

• ~300 experts vet all flagged records and request voucher material when needed

• ~1,000,000 record reviewed annually; 67% accepted

eBird Data Quality: Crowdsourcing

• 1100 automated filters check every submission

• Flagged records require validation

• ~300 experts vet all flagged records and request voucher material when needed

• ~1,000,000 record reviewed annually; 67% accepted

eBird Data Quality: Crowdsourcing

• 1100 automated filters check every submission

• Flagged records require validation

• ~300 experts vet all flagged records and request voucher material when needed

• ~1,000,000 record reviewed annually; 67% accepted

Indigo Bunting | Full Year

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