Plant lovers wanted: Study highlights demand for citizen science
Over the last several years, invasive plant and insect species have found their way into more and more social media feeds. From the tree of heaven to Bradford pear trees and the ubiquitous spotted lanternfly, home gardeners are spreading the word about problematic species to their networks.
A new study highlights the growing demand for citizen science participation among plant enthusiasts. Conducted by Nick Goltz and Amelia Martin, the research examined the potential for community engagement in identifying invasive plant and insect species. The study, published in Frontiers in Plant Science, found that 233 respondents were eager to receive training on recognizing emerging diseases and invasive species, as well as contributing their observations to research efforts.
However, the researchers noted a lack of national coordination for such training programs. Goltz, assistant extension educator at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, explained that while some individual extension programs offer pest management training, a more standardized approach is needed to effectively combat the spread of pests and diseases across state borders.
The study's findings could support future federal funding applications for educational programs focused on pest and disease identification.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
