FotoQuest Austria: An adventure in citizen science

Utl.: FotoQuest Austria, a summer citizen science campaign, allows
participants to explore the outdoors while taking pictures and
collecting observations for science. =

Laxenburg (OTS) - IIASA researchers today launched a summer-long
citizen science campaign, FotoQuest Austria. The new game-like app
allows participants to take geo-located photographs of landscapes for
science. The project aims to gather information about land use change
in Austria that is important for research on climate change and flood
risk. It also aims to spark a sense of adventure and exploration,
encouraging participants to get outside and enjoy nature.
Participants can also compete for points and prizes.
"Our goal for this project is to create an openly accessible archive
of geo-located pictures and information on how land is used in
Austria. The campaign will help IIASA researchers generate
information covering all of Austria about land cover," says project
leader Steffen Fritz.

In particular, the researchers are interested in urban expansion and
the preservation of wetlands, which store large amounts of carbon
dioxide and are therefore important for limiting climate change.
Fritz says, "There has not been a proper inventory of wetlands in the
last 25 years. We know that wetlands are shrinking, but we don’t know
by how much. As wetlands become drained they release this CO2 into
the environment, which has large implications for climate change.
With increased soil sealing due to urban expansion we also face
increased instances of flooding."

The current campaign is the first of several planned over the next
four years. By providing a snapshot of land cover over the course of
several years, researchers will be able to track changes in land use.

Combining adventure and science

FotoQuest Austria is the latest in IIASA’s series of citizen science
initiatives developed by the Geo-Wiki team, with a growing focus on
citizen engagement and participation.
Fritz says, "In addition to providing important information for our
country’s future, FotoQuest Austria is an outdoor adventure calling
on each of us to explore Austria’s countryside and learn what crops
and plants grow around us. It is an opportunity to appreciate and
connect with our surroundings through photographing and observing
different landscapes. It builds awareness, motivating us all to
protect and care for the land."

How it works:

1. Download the free app on your GPS-enabled mobile device and
register

2. Start your quest by choosing a destination and use the app to help
you get there

3. At your destination, follow the instructions to take the necessary
pictures of land cover and land use

4. Answer a few questions and take a final close-up picture (if
possible) capturing the most important characteristics of the
vegetation you see.

5. Upload your pictures and observations automatically, or save them
to upload later.

Infos auf Deutsch: http://www.iiasa.ac.at/web/home/about/news/FotoQuestAT_Deutsch.pdf

Digital press kit: http://www.ots.at/pressemappe/17953/aom

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