11-06-2026
Citizen science provides new floristic data for Catalonia, but expert validation is essential
A study evaluates the contribution of citizen science data. To conduct the research, more than 300,000 records of vascular plants from citizen science platforms were analysed to assess their reliability and their contribution to floristic knowledge in Catalonia. The study, led by Xavier Font (UB–IRBio) and Gloria Martínez Sagarra (University of Córdoba), has been published in Plant Biosystems.
The researchers identified 1,956 observations belonging to 415 vascular plant species as candidate records for potential floristic novelties. These were subjected to a three phase expert validation protocol, based on photographic evidence, geographical plausibility, taxonomic accuracy, and cultivated or ornamental status.
The validation process reduced these to only six confirmed records. Among them, Lavandula multifida stands out as a new taxon for the Catalan flora.
“The drastic reduction between candidate observations and validated records highlights the importance of expert filtering in citizen science,” explains Xavier Font, IRBio researcher.
Citizen science platforms supported by automatic identification systems offer clear opportunities for broad participation in biodiversity monitoring and represent a growing source of information. However, they also show geographical and taxonomic biases: most records are concentrated in urban and peri urban areas of densely populated regions and involve common or ornamental species.
Nevertheless, these datasets are useful for documenting recent changes in anthropogenic environments and detecting early stages of ornamental naturalisation, such as Ficus pumila and Ophiopogon japonicus.
Citizen science records can serve as an early warning source for floristically relevant changes. The authors propose transparent validation protocols to improve the scientific use of these data and strengthen collaboration between experts and observers.
Reference
Martínez Sagarra G., Burguera C., Ferre A., Illa E., Mercade A., Mora B., Soriano I., Font X. (2026). Assessing the contribution and limitations of citizen science data to regional floristic knowledge: A case study from Catalonia (NE Spain). Plant Biosystems, 160: 165. DOI: 10.1007/s44473 026 00177 7.
The researchers identified 1,956 observations belonging to 415 vascular plant species as candidate records for potential floristic novelties. These were subjected to a three phase expert validation protocol, based on photographic evidence, geographical plausibility, taxonomic accuracy, and cultivated or ornamental status.
The validation process reduced these to only six confirmed records. Among them, Lavandula multifida stands out as a new taxon for the Catalan flora.
“The drastic reduction between candidate observations and validated records highlights the importance of expert filtering in citizen science,” explains Xavier Font, IRBio researcher.
Citizen science platforms supported by automatic identification systems offer clear opportunities for broad participation in biodiversity monitoring and represent a growing source of information. However, they also show geographical and taxonomic biases: most records are concentrated in urban and peri urban areas of densely populated regions and involve common or ornamental species.
Nevertheless, these datasets are useful for documenting recent changes in anthropogenic environments and detecting early stages of ornamental naturalisation, such as Ficus pumila and Ophiopogon japonicus.
Citizen science records can serve as an early warning source for floristically relevant changes. The authors propose transparent validation protocols to improve the scientific use of these data and strengthen collaboration between experts and observers.
Reference
Martínez Sagarra G., Burguera C., Ferre A., Illa E., Mercade A., Mora B., Soriano I., Font X. (2026). Assessing the contribution and limitations of citizen science data to regional floristic knowledge: A case study from Catalonia (NE Spain). Plant Biosystems, 160: 165. DOI: 10.1007/s44473 026 00177 7.