ANERIS partners have recently released a preprint paper, focusing on the benefits of a wider event window for BioBlitz events, titled: BioMARathons as a seasonal engagement model for marine citizen science: adapting BioBlitzes to challenging coastal environments. 

A BioBlitz is an engaging citizen science event, which gathers scientists, experts and members of the public. It encourages them to collaborate in identifying as many species as possible in a certain area. ANERIS partners from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Sonia Liñán, Berta Companys, Ana Álvarez, Meritxell Turó, Carlos Rodero, Xavier Salvador and Jaume Piera have found a few challenges in implementing the BioBlitz model in citizen science events in marine biodiversity monitoring. In their recent publication, they identify obstacles such as safety, weather dependency, access, species identification, specialised equipment and sustained participation. 

In their paper, the authors present how the BioMARathon model of including citizen science can better adapt BioBlitz-inspired events to the marine environment and the challenges it brings. The BioMARathon model was specifically designed for marine and coastal environments by providing longer and periodical engagement. 

BioMARato as a case study:

As an example showing  better participation and less challenging conditions in marine citizen science, the authors use the BioMARató in Catalonia. The event has now been organised for four consecutive years, starting in 2021, and is a good representation of the BioMARathon model, combining expert validation, local seasonal mobilisation, longer event window, and the support of the MINKA observatory. Therefore, the paper suggests that BioMARathons encourage continued engagement and show a promising redesign of short-term citizen science events in marine biodiversity monitoring. 

You can read more on the Catalonian BioMARathon and how to participate here.