Redmap vs ClimateWatch | SPOTTERON

Redmap (Range Extension Database and Mapping project) is a citizen science research project that invites Australians to share (or “log”) sightings of marine species observed that are ‘uncommon’ to their local seas. The species identification of these sightings is verified by a panel of Australian expert marine scientists. Over time, Redmap will use this ‘citizen science’ data to map which Australian marine species may be shifting where they live in response to changes in the marine environment, such as ocean warming/climate change. The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at the University of Tasmania has partnered with research institutes across the country to help monitor species distributions in the marine environment. Citizen scientists – fishers, divers, boaters and beachcombers-can contribute their knowledge of the seas to help monitor Australia’s vast coastline. The citizen science data collected highlights regions and species that may be experiencing important distribution changes, so that research can be focused into these areas. Inspiring Australia and NSW Government Environmental Education Trust Fund provided funding (with support from IMAS and the University of Newcastle) for the development and production of a beautiful and easy-to-use tool allowing photo sightings of unusual marine sightings for any particular area to be submitted to Redmap. The app also contains information on Redmap species that are highlighted in each coastal region as those that are important to look out for. The species information provided includes pictures and basic biology as well as distribution maps. The app also allows individuals to build their own map and catalogue of submitted sightings (sightings will appear on the public website after verification by our science team). Download and start to spot, log and map today! For more information or to provide feedback on this app, please see the Redmap website www.redmap.org.au Available for iPhone and iPod touch, iOS version 6.1 or higher.

The ClimateWatch program is the collaborative brainchild of Earthwatch Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology, and the University of Melbourne to understand how changes in temperature and rainfall are affecting the seasonal behavior of Australia's plants and animals. The first continental phenology project in the Southern Hemisphere, ClimateWatch enables every Australian to be involved in collecting and recording data that will help shape our country’s scientific response to climate change. What is phenology? Phenology is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate. Examples include bird nesting, insect hatching, plant flowering, and fruit ripening. Many studies have already provided insight into the relationship between climate variables, such as temperature and rainfall, to the timing of these phenophases. Monitoring phenology is important as changes can impact entire biological communities, our food sources, and our environment. Unfortunately few significant datasets have been collected and researched in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere. We need your help capturing the impact climate change is having on our plants and wildlife. With our free ClimateWatch app, you can gather information in your own backyard, on the way to school, in your school ground, or at a local park. The information you collect will help us develop adaptation strategies for species’ survival into the future. We acknowledge our funders, QBE Insurance and Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, without whom this superb upgrade to the ClimateWatch app would not have been possible. Thanks to Parks Victoria for supporting the ‘ClimateWatch in Parks’ program, connecting communities and enabling them to take action on climate change. The ClimateWatch App is running on the SPOTTERON Citizen Science platform.