Characterising potential participants in kelp monitoring in the recreational diving community: A comparative study of South Africa and New Zealand

Recreational divers show strong interest in kelp monitoring, with participation influenced by demographic, attitudinal, and behavioral factors. A study of 100 divers from South Africa and New Zealand identified five potential involvement scenarios: field-based monitoring, public education, conservation activities, and opportunistic monitoring. Geographic comparisons revealed shared experiences and context-specific differences among participants. The findings provide actionable insights for designing kelp citizen science projects, addressing global calls for increased long-term monitoring to support kelp conservation efforts.

Lucrezi, S. (2021). Characterising potential participants in kelp monitoring in the recreational diving community: A comparative study of South Africa and New Zealand. Global Ecology and Conservation, 28, e01649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01649