What tasks do the participating citizen scientists have?
The main task of the citizen scientists is to document the phenological development of the different plant species in the Gumpensteiner BW3 wildflower mix. Another task will be to observe the pollinators visiting the flowering areas and record these visits in an online form.
The resulting data provide, on the one hand, interesting insights into the plant species in the flowering mixture and, on the other hand, valuable contributions to the research into the lifestyles of pollinators.
- Documentation of phenological development: Citizen scientists will be provided with a template for documenting the phenological development of the flowering areas. The timing of sowing, sprouting, flowering, and plant growth should be recorded. Various parameters such as ambient temperature, weather, and altitude will also be included.
- Pollinator observation and data collection: When observing pollinators, the focus should be primarily on wild bees. Participants will be provided with a simple identification key to assist them. Data collection will take place via the Austrian Nature Conservation Association's platform www.naturbeobachtung.at. There is a dedicated comment function where the project "PolliDiversity 2.0" must be mentioned.
- Establishing the wildflower meadow: Citizen scientists will receive seeds of the Gumpensteiner BW3 wildflower mix for an area of approximately 5 m². Sowing can be done in their own garden or, alternatively, in pots, making participation possible even without a garden. The following plant species will be sown:
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Field Chamomile (Anthemis arvensis), Dyer's Chamomile (Anthemis tinctoria), Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Calendula (Calendula officinalis), Caraway (Carum carvi), Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), Brown Knapweed (Centaurea jacea), Common Knapweed (Centaurea pseudophrygia), Common Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa), Chicory (Cichorium intybus), Meadow Hawkweed (Crepis biennis), Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), Carthusian Pink (Dianthus carthusianorum), Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare), Scabious (Knautia arvensis), Rough Dandelion (Leontodon hispidus), Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)). ), Red Campion (Silene dioica), Common Catchfly (Silene vulgaris), Hare's Clover (Trifolium arvense), Field Clover (Trifolium campestre), Small Clover (Trifolium dubium), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Black Mullein (Verbascum nigrum), Pitcher's Clover (Silene viscaria) - all certified by origin G-Zert®;
Ideally, the flowering area should be established in March 2022 (as soon as the first spring flowers become visible), but no later than the end of April 2022.
What materials will be provided to the participating citizen scientists?
To enable citizen scientists to participate in projects and to identify their roles, the following information materials will be created and made available digitally:
- Information workshop via Zoom (date to be announced)
- Digital materials for participants: experiment instructions, information materials on pollinators and identification key for the selected pollinators
- Template for documenting phenological development
Further details about the project
The task of the citizen scientists is to document how the flowering areas develop: When do the seeds germinate? What is the temperature? What has the weather been like in recent weeks? How tall are the plants after another two weeks? When do the first plants begin to flower? If no plants germinate, what could be the reason – have birds or snails been seen?
Furthermore, the citizen scientists should determine on several days from May to the end of July (depending on the flowering period of the plants) which plant species are preferred as a food source by certain wild bee species and other pollinators.
Monitoring should be carried out on as many days as possible at three different times of day during daylight hours. Weather also plays a role, as wild bees are more frequently observed in sunny weather but less so in rain or strong winds.
The winner of the Citizen Science Award will be the participant with the most orderly and complete documentation of the phenological phases of the selected flowering plants, or the school class with the largest number of properly completed documentations.
How is the data from participating citizen scientists handled?
The data will be treated with strict confidentiality and in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation.
Prizes at the Citizen Science Award 2022:
Prizes are awarded in two different categories: school classes and individuals. In both categories, the prizes are drawn from among the five best entries with the most high-quality reports (well-documented observations with photographic evidence).
In the "School Classes" category, there are cash prizes to be won for the class fund: 1st place: 1000 euros, 2nd place: 750 euros, 3rd place: 500 euros
In the "Private Individuals" category, there are great prizes to be won, such as a system camera and short holidays on a farm.
How can interested parties register?
Those interested can register simply via email. Please send registrations and inquiries to:
Team
Mag. Kathrin Blanzano
Acquisition
DI Renate Mayer
Acquisition