Analyzing Strategies for Completing a Comprehensive Biodiversity for Cincinnati Incorporating Citizen

Abstract

Record ID: 252

Award(s): Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship; Excellence in Research Communication

Program Affiliation: Capstone

Presentation Type: Poster

Abstract: Due to climate change, the Earth is experiencing its sixth mass extinction event. This crisis is concerning because biodiversity is directly tied to ecosystem health and ecosystem services. Healthy, biodiverse ecosystems can perform ecosystem services efficiently and effectively. In response to our climate crisis, the Green Cincinnati Plan was developed to reduce greenhouse emissions and enhance the natural environment. One priority action identified in the Green Cincinnati Plan is to complete a Biodiversity Assessment for Cincinnati, incorporating citizen science. The goal of this study is to examine and analyze how Biodiversity Assessments have been successfully completed in other cities, understand the current efforts to survey biodiversity in Cincinnati, and use this information to suggest a strategy to accomplish the priority action. In this presentation I will describe how other cities have completed Biodiversity Assessments and incorporated citizen science. This will provide necessary information for Cincinnati officials to reference moving forward.