Identifying synergies between citizen science and Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) in the Cairngorms National Park

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Since the 1980s, a network of hundreds of ecological study sites emerged across the globe. These sites are part of a network of long-term ecosystem (or ecological) research sites (LTER for short). Since the early 2000s, some of these sites became part of the larger-scale Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) platforms, which are made up of multiple LTER sites and undertake research at a scale that is relevant to many of the major social and environmental interactions of interest. The purpose of the network is to understand environmental change over time, with the long-term and place-based research allowing for site-based study/exploration and monitoring. The science that is emerging is contributing to international assessments, such as the International Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), as well as regional, national and international policies. While there are few reports detailing the presence and use of citizen science within LTER/LTSER science, there is a lack of frameworks and methodologies to support researchers who work in LTER/LTSER sites on the use of citizen science. Considering the UK is one of the leading countries in the development and utilisation of citizen science, and in particular the integration of citizen science into strategic plans such as those of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, this project aims to start building the knowledge base necessary for integrating citizen science into LTER sites and LTSER platforms. The project focuses on the Cairngorms LTSER platform as a testbed for examining the potential links between citizen science and ongoing LTSER research. This will be done through a study of existing citizen science (including biological recording) at the location, and an examination of the data and information that is recorded. The next element of the study will involve a workshop involving engagement with relevant stakeholders including scientists, local authorities, tourism business community, environmental charities and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), local residents, and visitors. The aim here is to examine their awareness and use of citizen science. We will use the workshop to examine the integration of citizen science within LTER/LTSER research, which will include experiential activities during which the participants will take part in a variety of citizen science activities followed by discussions of these experiences. On the basis of these activities, a short report will be produced, suggesting where and how the integration of citizen science and LTER in the UK should progress.