Key messages
- Low-cost, reliable methods for monitoring water levels and water quality are needed to assist water-resource managers in their decision-making.
- 'Citizen scientists' willing to take part in simple monitoring activities can expand the data sets in understudied regions.
- We worked with citizens in a remote Kenyan catchment who contributed valuable water level and water-quality data. Long-term motivation of participants, active recruiting of new volunteers, and an effective reward system will be key to sustainable citizen-resourced water-monitoring programmes.
- Data provided by ‘citizen scientists’ can be scientifically robust and cost-effective in supporting the monitoring needed to inform the development of water management strategies.
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17528/cifor/007013Altmetric score:
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Publication year
2018
Authors
Rufino, M.C.; Weeser, B.; Stenfert Kroese, J.; Njue, N.; Gräf, J.; Jacobs, S.; Kemboi, Z.; Ran, A.M.; Cerutti, P.O.; Martius, C.; Breuer, L.
Language
English
Keywords
water, water resources, water quality, water management, ecosystem services
Geographic
Kenya
