RAPID: Gulf Coast Oil Spill Biodiversity Tracker. A Volunteer-based Observation Network to Monitor the Impact of Oil on Organisms along the Gulf Coast

为了应对墨西哥湾的Deep Horizon漏油事件，康奈尔大学获得了一笔RAPID赠款，用于开发信息基础设施，以提高我们提供漏油影响信息的能力。 该项目利用因特网和信息技术，让志愿人员提供急需的数据，以评估石油泄漏对野生动物和环境的长期影响。生物多样性跟踪系统将扩大eBird（www.ebird.org）目前提供的能力，该系统利用志愿者网络调查海滩和沼泽地的鸟类。这些数据显示在实时互动地图上，显示报告的鸟类位置与当前和预测的浮油位置的关系。扩大的能力将包括在线数据表格和地图，以收集和显示关于受油污影响的鸟类、受漏油影响的其他野生动物以及海滩状况的信息;提供外联支助，以吸引更多的参与者;通过鸟类知识网络（www.avianknowledge.net）和DataONE（dataone.org）开放获取所有数据。了解这种影响需要记录泄漏对整个地区的野生动物和环境的影响，但传统的生物多样性监测和编目方法不足以收集所需的大量数据。墨西哥湾沿岸漏油生物多样性跟踪系统让公民科学参与者参与收集这些数据，并通过互动式在线地图和数据库向公众提供信息。这些数据将使科学和保护工作能够迅速作出反应，并将提供监测灾害持续影响所需的基本数据资源。

In response to the Deep Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Cornell University is awarded a RAPID grant to develop information infrastructure that enhances our ability to provide information on the impact of the oil spill. The project uses Internet and information technologies to engage volunteers in providing critically needed data to assess the impact of the oil spill on wildlife and the environment through time. The Biodiversity Tracker will expand the capabilities currently provided by eBird (www.ebird.org), which uses a network of volunteers to survey beaches and marshes for birds. These data are displayed on real-time, interactive maps showing locations of reported birds in relation to current and forecasted oil slick locations. Expanded capabilities will include online data forms and maps to collect and display information on oiled birds, other wildlife affected by the oil spill, and beach conditions; outreach support to engage more participants; and open access to all data through the Avian Knowledge Network (www.avianknowledge.net) and DataONE (dataone.org).The oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico will affect the region's biodiversity and ecology for years to come. Understanding this impact requires documenting the spill's effects on wildlife and the environment throughout the entire region, yet traditional biodiversity monitoring and inventorying approaches are inadequate to gather the vast amounts of data needed. The Gulf Coast Oil Spill Biodiversity Tracker engages citizen-science participants in gathering these data and makes the information publicly accessible through interactive online maps and databases. These data will enable quick responses for scientific and conservation efforts and will provide a fundamental data resource needed to monitor ongoing impacts from the disaster.