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Engaging communities for sustainable goals: citizen science in protected areas

Author

Listed:
  • Gabrielle Abreu Nunes

    (University of São Paulo)

  • Teresa Cristina Magro Lindenkamp

    (University of São Paulo)

Abstract

Citizen science has emerged as a powerful tool for promoting sustainability by actively involving the public in research aimed at addressing environmental and social challenges. This study investigates the potential of citizen science projects on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Brazil, focusing on conserved and protected areas. An online semi-structured questionnaire was sent to 40 projects across 23 Brazilian states, covering over 60 terrestrial and aquatic Protected Areas. We employed content analysis to evaluate data from 39 responses and project documents, utilizing predefined categories and Tier Classification. A weighted prioritization methodology was used to assess the potential of these projects, ranking SDGs based on the urgency of territorial gaps and the extent of citizen science involvement. Our findings indicate that SDGs 15 (Life on Land), 17 (Partnerships), and 4 (Quality Education) hold the highest potential for impact, given their substantial gaps and the significant contributions from citizen science initiatives. Moreover, the greatest challenges cited for reaching the full capacity of these projects include shortages of qualified human resources, insufficient financing, and inadequate planning. Collectively, the projects directly address 131 SDG indicators, 30% of the total, spanning key areas of planet, people, prosperity, peace, and partnerships, and have the potential to cover 51.4% under optimal conditions. This study concludes that citizen science plays a crucial role in addressing critical knowledge gaps, providing valuable data that supports informed decision-making in environmental management and contributes to more inclusive governance. Future research should delve deeper into the mechanisms driving these contributions in Brazil.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabrielle Abreu Nunes & Teresa Cristina Magro Lindenkamp, 2025. "Engaging communities for sustainable goals: citizen science in protected areas," Sustainability Nexus Forum, Springer, vol. 33(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sumafo:v:33:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s00550-025-00566-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s00550-025-00566-0
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