The Wabash Sampling Blitz: A Study on the Effectiveness of Citizen Science

Authors

  • Rebecca Logsdon Muenich Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Graham Sustainability Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Sara Peel Wabash River Enhancement Corporation, Lafayette, Indiana
  • Laura C. Bowling Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
  • Megan Heller Haas Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
  • Ronald F. Turco Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
  • Jane R. Frankenberger Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
  • Indrajeet Chaubey Department of Earth, Atmospheric, & Planetary Sciences and Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.1

Keywords:

Citizen science, water quality monitoring, watershed groups, cluster analysis, Wabash River

Abstract

The increasing number of citizen science projects around the world brings the need to evaluate the effectiveness of these projects and to show the applicability of the data they collect. This research describes the Wabash River Sampling Blitz, a volunteer water-quality monitoring program in Central Indiana developed by the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation (WREC). Results indicate that field test strips for nitrate+nitrite-N read by volunteers generally agree with lab-determined values. Orthophosphate results are less transferable owing to low observed concentrations, although the field test strip values from unfiltered samples consistently over-predicted the lab values. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) applied to volunteer-collected data groups sampling sites into meaningful management clusters that can help to identify water-quality priorities across the watershed as a proof of concept for watershed managers. Results of the HCA provide an opportunity for WREC to target future programs, education, and activities by analyzing the data collected by citizen scientists. Overall this study demonstrates how citizen science water quality data can be validated and applied in subsequent watershed management strategies. 

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Published

2016-05-20

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2016)

Section

Research Papers

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