Expanding general surveillance of invasive species by integrating citizens as both observers and identifiers

摘要: Expanding general surveillance can improve invasive species detection to support eradication. Traditionally, citizens report observations government agencies and mobile-phone-based tools provide incremental submission processing efficiencies. However, citizen-reported data have high false positive rates diagnostics laboratories are not resourced process large observation volumes. We demonstrate ‘Find-A-Pest’ a partnership model whereby citizens, including Māori groups, industry representatives both contribute undertake identifications. combine app, database, content management system with linked iNaturalist NZ. present from 3.5-month case study assessing the effectiveness at delivering improved outcomes. Installed by 497 users, there were 471 of 176 taxa submitted 74 individuals. In combination, citizen identifiers processed 99% only 1% (5 submissions) forwarded Biosecurity New Zealand. Citizens’ identifications comprehensive rapid: 79.4% identified 57.3% 95.4% these within an hour or day, respectively. Citizen correct 95.5% time. Many (56.1%) high-priority profiled in app fact sheets. Find-A-Pest demonstrates that partnerships effectively distribute identification effort, thereby reducing loads laboratories. Find-A-pest was stable, robust, endorsed as fit for purpose users. Achieving biosecurity outcomes, such early facilitate eradication, will require much larger-scale participation Find-A-Pest. suggest applying behaviour change theory expand across diverse groups future.