The Reliability of Citizen Science: A Case Study of Oregon White Oak Stand Surveys

Abstract

We trained students (grades 3–10) through classroom presentations to survey an Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) stand in Washington, USA, and compared their data to those obtained from professionals. In May and July 2002, 607 students and 8 professionals surveyed 59 and 22 50-m transects, respectively. We enumerated oaks and ponderosa pines (Pinus ponderosa), measured diameter at breast height, and rated the crown shape of oaks. Oak diameter at breast height measurements and tree counts were consistent between students and professionals (α = 0.05), but subjective crown assessments and live or dead status differed. Students tended to overreport relatively rare pines and larger oaks relative to professionals. This project provided resource managers with data describing oak diameter at breast height and distribution while educating students about the ecology of local wildlife habitat.