From citizen observations to long-term ecological knowledge: integrating iNaturalist records into LTER framework through automated enrichment

What this was about

Alessandro Oggioni presents an R package that treats iNaturalist as a service, downloading observations within eLTER site boundaries and automatically enriching them with IUCN Red List status, EU Habitats and Birds Directive annexes, nativeness from the EASIN database and standardised observation information. Outputs are research-ready interactive maps, charts and tables. The benefit is dual: eLTER sites gain additional observations and spatial coverage, while volunteers can engage in co-designed campaigns and see their observations gain scientific value.

Why it matters. It shows a low-burden route to integrate citizen observations into long-term ecological research infrastructures.

In the room

• Vision: build workflows that structure citizen data instead of forcing citizens to produce structured data.
• R package downloads iNaturalist observations by eLTER site boundaries.
• Four enrichment pillars: IUCN Red List, EU Habitats and Birds Directives, nativeness (EASIN), standardised observation data.
• Outputs: interactive map, analytical charts and tables.
• Benefits for eLTER (more observations, expanded coverage) and citizens (co-design, future campaigns, elevated value).

Notable moments