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<p>Citizen science (CS) has become a major global source of biodiversity data, although its scientific value depends critically on data quality and reliability. This study aims to assess the reliability of CS contributions to floristic knowledge in Catalonia (NE Spain) and to identify potential floristic novelties. CS-derived records retrieved via GBIF were taxonomically and nomenclaturally standardised and screened against a regional reference checklist to identify potential floristic novelties. A total of 1,956 records belonging to 415 vascular plant species were flagged as candidate records of potential floristic novelty and were subjected to a three-phase expert validation protocol based on photographic evidence, geographic plausibility, taxonomic correctness, and cultivated or ornamental status. The validation process reduced this set to six reliable records corresponding to four species, one of which (<i>Lavandula multifida</i>) is accepted here as a new record for the Catalan flora. The marked reduction from candidate to validated records highlights a strong validation bottleneck between opportunistic CS observations and floristically robust records. Our results highlight the need for expert review of CS-derived floristic records and underscore the key role of experienced observers in the detection of floristically relevant records. More broadly, this study supports the application of transparent and transferable validation workflows to enhance the scientific use of opportunistic citizen science data in floristic research.</p>

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Assessing the contribution and limitations of citizen science data to regional floristic knowledge: A case study from Catalonia (NE Spain)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月23日

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  • Gloria Martínez-Sagarra,
  • Carles Burguera,
  • Albert Ferré,
  • Estela Illa,
  • Arnau Mercadé,
  • Berta Mora,
  • Ignasi Soriano,
  • Xavier Font

摘要

Citizen science (CS) has become a major global source of biodiversity data, although its scientific value depends critically on data quality and reliability. This study aims to assess the reliability of CS contributions to floristic knowledge in Catalonia (NE Spain) and to identify potential floristic novelties. CS-derived records retrieved via GBIF were taxonomically and nomenclaturally standardised and screened against a regional reference checklist to identify potential floristic novelties. A total of 1,956 records belonging to 415 vascular plant species were flagged as candidate records of potential floristic novelty and were subjected to a three-phase expert validation protocol based on photographic evidence, geographic plausibility, taxonomic correctness, and cultivated or ornamental status. The validation process reduced this set to six reliable records corresponding to four species, one of which (Lavandula multifida) is accepted here as a new record for the Catalan flora. The marked reduction from candidate to validated records highlights a strong validation bottleneck between opportunistic CS observations and floristically robust records. Our results highlight the need for expert review of CS-derived floristic records and underscore the key role of experienced observers in the detection of floristically relevant records. More broadly, this study supports the application of transparent and transferable validation workflows to enhance the scientific use of opportunistic citizen science data in floristic research.