What is AppEAR?
AppEAR is a citizen science project to study freshwater environments habitats.
That means that anyone can participate, in different ways, in the study of rivers, lakes, lagoons, estuaries and streams.
Citizen scientists interact and collaborate different ways, while they learn about the environment and answer scientific questions.
All manuals, protocols and data generated by citizen scientists in AppEAR are open and free. Start participating!
Scientific goals
The main scientific goal of the project is to study the quality of the habitat of freshwater ecosystems through the engagement of citizen scientists.
Other goals include:
- To recognize the environmental factors that impact positively and negatively freshwater habitats
- To generate new monitoring tools for these ecosystems
- To discuss and calibrate existing tools to monitor freshwater habitats
Education goals
The main education goal of the project consists of generating educational resources linked to the preservation of freshwater habitats
For instance:
- Simple monitoring protocols and manuals for freshwater habitats that can be used in schools
- Maps of the conservation status of freshwater habitats
- Resources to promote scientific reasoning, introducing citizen scientists to the scientific method
How does it work?
The project works thanks to the interaction between professionals and citizen scientists, that interact in different ways.
Analizing the environment
The main tools for the evaluation of freshwater habitats in AppEAR are based on habitat indices, developed specifically for different classes of environments. They are discussed and improved with the help of the citizen scientists of the project!
Collecting data
Citizen scientists can analyze the habitat quality of freshwater environments through the Android app or through the website.
Los datos enviados por los científicos ciudadanos se centralizan en la base de datos de AppEAR, y pueden ser vistos y descargados por cualquier persona libremente!
Generating maps
With the data sant by citizen scientists a real time map is built with the quality status of the freshwater habitats. You can see what other citizen scientists have sent and download all the information freely!
Interacting
Interact with other citizen scientists, and participate in the discussion about how to measure the quality of freshwater habitats, how to generate educational resources for these ecosystems, or even how to improve AppEAR!
Playing!
All citizen scientists are part of a live competition. Win points and medals with each report!
Check our ranking to see which citizen scientists have sent more reports… and try to beat them!
Learning and teaching
Learn and help teach about the importance of freshwater habitats in your community, with the help from the educational resources created by our citizen scientists!