Capturing our Coast (CoCoast) marine citizen science project - data verified via iRecord

Quality Control

All data is subject to the same verification checking, which aims to ensure that any record that is unusual (due to date, location, species values/identification) is queried, and only accepted if supporting evidence (photo or confirmation from recorder/supporting staff) is provided. All records to date are checked, and the project believes that a high degree of confidence can be placed in this data; however, the project cannot guarantee that all records which pass the verification checks are correct.

Method steps

1. Volunteers were trained by project staff nationwide to use a standardised methodology in the field. This involved undertaking surveys of a chosen species package (14 packs available over the project, each containing 7-8 species) along a 30m transect line at one or more shore heights. Species abundance and percentage cover records, along with associated environmental data, were recorded in up to ten randomly placed quadrats per transect. Barnacle surveys were conducted using an adapted methodology.

UK