Integrating citizen science into environmental monitoring frameworks

Institutional Overview

The University of Tartu Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden (UTNM-BG) is Estonia’s premier center for biodiversity research, documentation, and public engagement. As part of Estonia’s oldest university, we bridge the gap between academic excellence and societal impact. We manage over 1.3 million specimens and serve as the national hub for biodiversity data, aligning our workflows with international standards such as DiSSCo (Distributed System of Scientific Collections) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility).

Core Asset: The PlutoF Data Management Platform

UTNM-BG is the developer and main host of PlutoF, a world-class, open-source cloud computing platform for biology and related disciplines. PlutoF serves as a "common data space" that integrates the entire data lifecycle—from field observations to laboratory DNA sequencing and ultimate publication.

• FAIR Data Principles: PlutoF is built to ensure that all data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. It bridges the "technological debt" often found in environmental projects by providing a scalable, ready-to-use digital infrastructure.

• Multi-Taxa Integration: Unlike many specialized databases, PlutoF links taxonomic data across all kingdoms of life, including complex DNA sequence data (metabarcoding), making it an ideal tool for large-scale European monitoring projects.

• Global Connectivity: As a registered GBIF data publisher, our infrastructure ensures that any data collected within a Horizon project is immediately mobilizable for international research and policy-making.

Expertise in Citizen Science (CS)

We possess extensive experience in initiating and managing citizen science projects that move beyond simple engagement to high-quality data generation. Notable initiatives include:

• The Nature Observation Marathon: A flagship event utilizing the PlutoF GO mobile app to collect thousands of verified species observations annually.

• eElurikkus (eBiodiversity) Portal: The public-facing national biodiversity portal powered by PlutoF, hosting nearly 40,000 recorded species in Estonia.

• Advanced Data Validation: We offer unique expertise in developing data quality management workflows. Our systems combine AI-assisted identification with expert human verification, ensuring that crowdsourced data meets the rigorous standards required for scientific research and environmental policy modeling.

Value Proposition for Horizon Europe Projects

UTNM-BG offers a holistic "Citizen Science as a Service" model for Horizon Europe consortia:

1. Digital Infrastructure: We provide the PlutoF platform as a robust backend for data collection, validation, and storage, eliminating the need for partners to develop custom software from scratch.

2. Science Communication & Engagement: Leveraging our museum and botanical garden facilities, we serve as a "Living Lab" to pilot citizen science protocols, engage diverse societal groups, and promote scientific literacy.

3. Cross-Border Monitoring: Our tools are designed for regional and European scaling (e.g., tracking invasive species or plant diseases moving across the Baltic region), directly supporting the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

4. Policy Support: We specialize in turning raw citizen-led observations into verifiable datasets that can guide environmental governance and climate resilience strategies.