Comparing citizen science and professional data to evaluate extrapolated mountain goat distribution models

A study comparing citizen science data with professional surveys found that volunteer-collected mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) location data can effectively evaluate species distribution models, offering a low-cost alternative for wildlife managers. The research analyzed aerial and ground survey data from professionals and volunteers across Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, comparing these datasets to two extrapolated mountain goat models. Results showed that all dataset types correlated positively with model predictions, with aerial observations (rs = 0.964) slightly outperforming professional ground surveys (rs = 0.946) and volunteer ground data (rs = 0.898). A model developed in the Greater Yellowstone Area proved most informative, suggesting that citizen science, when paired with robust protocols and training, can reliably contribute to wildlife research. The findings recommend expanding this approach to other species and developing distribution models using citizen science data.

Flesch, E. P., & Belt, J. J. (2017). Comparing citizen science and professional data to evaluate extrapolated mountain goat distribution models. Ecosphere, 8(2). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1638