100명의 시민과학자들 소백산에… 이틀 동안 ‘생물다양성 합동조사’

Twenty-one to twenty-two days from now, from May 21 to May 22, a one-day citizen-scientist expedition on biological diversity will be conducted in the Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang region of the Bukhan Mountain National Park. The National Institute of Biological Resources, under the Climate, Energy and Environment Ministry, announced the joint investigation to enhance the observation and record abilities of citizen-scientists.

This joint investigation is part of the National Institute of Biological Resources' existing "Citizen Scientist Biological Diversity Survey" project, which has been underway since 2011. The Korean Biological Resources Observation Network, comprising both professional researchers and ordinary citizens, typically sees participation from around 100 individuals each year.

This year's event will see teams comprised of professionals, citizen-scientists, and university students observing and recording ten taxonomic groups including plants, birds, and insects.

The participating 31 university students will receive specialized guidance from taxonomic experts during the observation and recording process. Last year's joint investigation in the border county of Buan in North Jeolla province recorded a total of 921 species, including two endangered species, the Bukhan species and the large crane frog, as well as nearly 4,000 biological records.

The biological data collected through the Korean Biological Resources Observation Network has been used in predicting the effects of climate change and in suppressing invasive species in local ecosystems. This year, in particular, the recordings of the red-lined spotted flea beetle, which recently swarmed in large numbers in the capital region and caused widespread inconvenience, were extensively utilized.

National Institute of Biological Resources Director Ho said, "In the future, we will actively use the biological data accumulated by citizen-scientists in the field and incorporate them into research and policies addressing ecosystem changes due to climate change and the introduction of foreign species. We will continuously expand the base of citizen science participation."