The AquaInvaders project aims to collect much needed data on freshwater aquatic invasive species around the UK.

Source:  AquaInvaders / Image: Duloup CC BY-SA 3.0

Useful information

Download:  Android 4.0.3 (28MB) / iOS 6.0 (27,7MB) / web

Price: free

Language: English

Runs offline: partially

Last update: Android 25/02/2015 – iOS 25/02/2015

Website of the developer:  SNH / Environment Agency / SEPA / BSAC / BRC / NatureLocator

Description

AquaInvaders is an application designed to work with PlantTracker if you want. Its aim is to collect sightings of invasive species in rivers, lakes and other freshwater bodies in the UK. The database includes 12 species of fish, 7 crustaceans and other 7 species included under the heading “Other”. In this section are included the zebra mussel, American mink or the red-eared terrapin, to take some examples.

Before start to collect the data, the opening of an account is necessary. This step is made in the web iRecord, of the Biological Records Centre (BRC). This system brings together several apps to collect data through citizen science. Data collection is performed by a form that contains the following fields:

  • A photograph of the species with its common name. You can access to more information from the “ID Guide” button (photo gallery, confusion species, description and a link to more information).
  • “Photo Evidence”, from which a photograph is attached.
  • “Location”, pointing out the specimen location via GPS or map ( this last possibility require an internet connection).
  • “Site name”, name of the place where the sighting was made.
  • “Number”, where the number of specimens displayed are introduced.
  • “Add a note”, to add additional comments.

Most of these fields can be edited from a computer, adding new photos or correcting location. The sightings are verified by an expert of BRC, entity that collects data, before being added to the database.

The help section, which is accessible from the interrogation symbol on the top left corner, provides useful information about where or how to find this type of species and also includes tips to prevent its spread.

More information

http://www.brc.ac.uk/aquainvaders/home

Images: Screenshots 28/07/2015. ©University of Bristol

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Analysis

Invasive species, whether plants or animals, cause serious damage on the environment (in the web of the USGS you can read some of the consequences caused by the zebra mussel, for example).Therefore, the development of these applications is very useful because it allows citizens to collect sightings that later enable scientists to study the spread of these species. This information serves to establish corrective measures. In this regard, AquaInvaders is a simple application that perfectly fulfills its mission, characterized by its agile and that no requires Internet for basic operation. It offers also the advantage to edit from a computer some of the data collected.

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Técnico de medio ambiente, community manager y content curator especializada en temas de medioambiente - Environmental technician, community manager and content curator specialised in environmental issues