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A decrease in reports on road-killed animals based on citizen science during COVID-19 lockdown
Daniel Dörler1, Florian Heigl1
1Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
Peerj
|December 13, 2021
Summary
COVID-19 lockdowns reduced animal roadkill by decreasing traffic and potentially altering citizen science reporting. Further analysis is needed to distinguish between fewer animal deaths and reduced reporting during lockdowns.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Citizen Science
Background:
- COVID-19 lockdowns in early 2020 significantly reduced human outdoor activities and road traffic in Austria.
- Project Roadkill, a citizen science initiative, observed a notable decrease in reported road-killed animals during this period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the decline in reported roadkill was due to reduced animal mortality or decreased reporting by citizen scientists.
- To understand the impact of lockdown measures on citizen science data collection and interpretation.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to citizen scientists participating in Project Roadkill.
- The survey assessed changes in participants' travel routines and their self-reported roadkill reporting frequency during the lockdown.
Main Results:
- A majority of respondents reported fewer roadkills during the lockdown, irrespective of changes in their travel habits.
- The decrease in reported roadkill, coupled with reduced road traffic, suggests fewer animals were killed on roads.
Conclusions:
- Lockdown measures can significantly influence reporting behavior in citizen science projects.
- It is crucial to consider the impact of such external factors when analyzing citizen science data to avoid misinterpretations regarding animal populations or mortality rates.
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