Crowdsourcing Science: Eco Volunteering

"Citizen Science" is the chance for everyone to be involved - to explore their own background, discover new species and contribute to the greater good.

Citizen Science is when volunteers collect biodiversity and environmental data which contributes to the expanding of knowledge of the natural environment.

 

Everyone has the opportunity to contribute through citizen science. Crowdsourcing science enables investigations that would not otherwise be possible; ones that push new frontiers in our understanding of our world. By volunteering you can:

  • Discover and learn something new,
  • Explore new parts of the UAE
  • Build your resume through volunteer experience and gaining new skills
  • Make a difference in conserving the environment – scientists can’t do it alone!

Without your help there is a limit to the number of species that can be protected!

 

Emirates Nature-WWF is calling on volunteers to help explore the world of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies across the UAE!

There is still a lot to discover and understand about biodiversity in the UAE. The first thing is to find out is the distribution and abundance of these species. This serves as the foundation to identify environmental protection strategies and to understand climate change impacts.

 

WHY are these important?

Dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies help control insect populations, preventing use of pesticides and the spread of disease. Dragonflies and damsefliescan consume their own body weight in as little as 30 minutes!

They support other species in the wider ecosystem - as a food source for fish and amphibians, birds, bats, lizards, and spiders. We also depend on butterflies for our food, as they play a role a pollinators.

Dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies are considered indicator species of the health of different habitats; because they are low in the food chain scientific study of their numbers and their health can reveal changes ecosystems more quickly than studying other animals or plants. They are also important to help assess the effects of global climate change.

 

How to get involved: