PROJECT TITLE: BioNote– a crowdscience platform for identifying and learning about all species on Earth.
MAJOR GOAL: To inspire and empower people to document, explore, identify and protect the world’s biodiversity.
DELIVERABLES: We have successfully created a smartphone application and a web community. The prototype of BioNote is now a user-friendly ‘hub’ for all types of species finding activities, targeted at professionals, amateurs, students and the general public. The smartphone app also provides an easy and robust way for users to log, and collaborate on identifying, species sightings. Location, time, and other information that would be tedious to input, are now automated; the user only needs to take a photo with their smartphone. Not only is this useful for professionals and enthusiasts, but also for citizens concerned about pests and wanting more information about the bugs or weeds on their property. Each sighting is observable on a dynamic map, so users can see all the species identified near them. The app is also designed to serve as an educational tool, providing relevant and interesting information about any species as well as user-created finding ‘missions’ for others to complete. The data generated can be directly integrated into scientific research and education, for instance within ecology, systematics, evolutionary biology and conservation.
NEXT STEPS: Further development of BioNote is now made possible thanks to generous support from the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research and Climate KiC, among others. We are now also seeking external investors to take this research spin-off to a wider public user group.
