Program on the Environment

Participatory science has become an important tool for expanding ecological monitoring, yet variability in volunteer-collected data raises concerns about scientific reliability. In Dungeness crab populations, community-submitted observations offer valuable coverage, though inconsistent data quality can limit their use in quantitative analysis.
The purpose of my project was to examine how participatory science can improve data quality in crab molt research, with a focus on identifying strategies that increase consistency and usability of public survey photographs for scientific measurement.
To explore this question, I completed an internship with Washington Sea Grant (WSG) Crab Team, supporting digital monitoring of Dungeness crab molts.
One of my primary responsibilities was to process and evaluate images using ImageJ, a visual analysis software that calibrates standardized measurements. I focused on extracting dimensions for carapace width (spine-end-to-spine-end). I observed that the usability of each image depended heavily on a few key factors: the presence of a scale reference, the angle of the photograph, the completeness of the specimen within the frame, and the overall lighting and clarity. When these elements were present, the image could be reliably recorded. When they were missing or inconsistent, the data became less reliable or unusable.
These results suggest that participatory science can strengthen ecological research when data collection systems are intentionally designed to support volunteers. Rather than viewing variability as a limitation, it can be used to refine protocols and improve future submissions. This work highlights the importance of integrating participant-friendly design, standardized tools, and iterative feedback systems to enhance the scientific value of community-generated data in marine monitoring programs.