Capturing our Coast (CoCoast) marine citizen science project - data verified via iRecord

Capturing our Coast

Description

This data set contains records for 57 species covered by the project that have been verified by project staff using iRecord verification guidance. Records are from datasets made available via the iRecord verification process from the project website that links to the BRC database for verification purposes.

Zero abundance records and associated environmental data are not included.

Geographic Description

UK

Purpose

Since January 2016, CoCoast has trained almost 3,000 citizen scientists to carry out transect surveys of marine species on UK rocky shores. This army of volunteers continues to collect data across UK coasts, contributing to gaps in our knowledge of marine biodiversity and providing a baseline to explore responses to environmental change. Sharing the data via NBN allows the records to be accessible to potentially help inform future science, conservation and policy.

Data quality

All data is subject to the same verification checking, which aims to ensure that any record that is unusual (due to date, location, species values/identification) is queried, and only accepted if supporting evidence (photo or confirmation from recorder/supporting staff) is provided. All records to date are checked, and the project believes that a high degree of confidence can be placed in this data; however, the project cannot guarantee that all records which pass the verification checks are correct.

Methods

Volunteers were trained by project staff nationwide to use a standardised methodology in the field. This involved undertaking surveys of a chosen species package (14 packs available over the project, each containing 7-8 species) along a 30m transect line at one or more shore heights. Species abundance and percentage cover records, along with associated environmental data, were recorded in up to ten randomly placed quadrats per transect. Barnacle surveys were conducted using an adapted methodology.

Citation

Capturing our Coast (date of download) Data verified via iRecord.

Rights

CC BY

Creative Commons Attribution

Digitised records