Citizen Science at IOW
Citizen Science
Citizen Science refers tot he active involvement of the public in the process of scientific discovery. However, engagement in citizen science also yields important contributions to practice, policy and education, and is therefore of great significance to civil society. The IOW makes targeted use of this participatory research approacj in various projects, for example to systematically record the introduction of non-native species or in the management of long-term monitoring stations.
The spread of the Australian tube worm along the German Baltic coast
In autumn 2020, a boat service company and boat owner in Rostock first reported a novel type of fouling on the underwater hulls and propulsion systems of their vessels, caused by an unknown species. Analysis of a sample revealed that it was the Australian calcareous tube worm (Ficopomatus enigmaticus), a species originally native only tot he South Pacific but which has been spreading worldwide for the past 100 years. This spread has been facilitated by the rapid growth of global goods transport by ship. These chance observations gave rise to a citizen science project, funded by private contributions, aimed at systematically documenting the spread oft he species, with the active involvement of boat service companies, ports, water sports clubs and the Rostock-based school research centre MikroMint along the German Baltic Sea coast.
Get involved: In addition to these systemic surveys, we are grateful for any reports from boat owners.
Contact person: Dr. Sven Hille, E-Mail: roehrenwurm@iow.de
Scientific Publication:
Hille S, Kunz F, Markfort G, Ritzenhofen L, Zettler ML (2021) First record of mass occurrence of the tubeworm Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) (Serpulidae: Polychaeta) in coastal waters of the Baltic Sea. BioInvasions Records 10(4): 859–868, https://doi.org/10.3391/bir. 2021.10.4.10
Warnow Probe
As part of the BMBF project “Ocean Technology Campus Rostock“, the citizen science project „Warnowsonde“ has developed a sensor measuring station with the active involvement of volunteer coordinators; this station can also be used for environmental education purposes. The probe is being deployed and tested in the Warnow, a river that flows into the Baltic Sea. The probe measures pressure (as a measure of the depth at which the measurements take place), conductivity (as a measure of salinity) and water temperature. In addition to the measurement data collected, this enables young people to gain access to modern measurement technology and to work together with them to further develop the probe technically. As such, the project also sees itself as a contribution to attracting young people to STEM subjects. The Institute’s research focus lies in collecting measurement data on climate change related changes in areas that have previously been inadequately sampled locally. Following the successful trial operation in the first project phase, an expansion of the measurement network and further development are planned fort he second funding phase. In cooperation with the Rostock Maritime Museum and the Schritt shipyard, two new sited are to be established shortly in the Lower Warnow. Further users, for example from the sectors of port operators, the maritime industry, research institutions and water sports clubs, are warmly welcome.
Click here to access the live measurement data from the warnow probe.
Project management: Dr. Sven Hille, E-Mail: warnowsonde@iow.de
