SCENT – Citizen observatories help citizens actively engage in flood monitoring
Europe has invested heavily in Earth Observation. Through programmes such as Copernicus, Europe is gathering enormous amounts of important information about the planet’s physical, chemical and biological systems. But to translate this space-based data into practical solutions for addressing, for example, climate change, we also need to know what’s happening on the ground. This is where citizen observatories come in, a concept that sees everyday citizens participate in monitoring environmental change. “Citizen observatories are an innovative approach to environmental monitoring, one that complements existing Earth Observation technology with up-to-date information on local ecosystems,” says Angelos Amditis from the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems and SCENT project coordinator. The EU-funded SCENT project has developed a number of easy-to-use, collaborative technologies that help citizens actively engage in environmental monitoring. “In doing so, these participants become the ‘eyes’ of policymakers and local authorities,” adds Amditis.
Enabling the citizen scientist
By taking the SCENT portable sensors and smartphone applications with them on a daily walk, citizens can take pictures of how the land is being used. They can also report unusual events related to, for example, water blockages, and measure such things as water levels and soil moisture. “This is all done via a competitive augmented reality game, called SCENT Explore, and an easy-to-use soil moisture monitoring app called SCENT Measure,” explains Amditis. “Together, these components, which can be downloaded via Google Play or the Apple App Store, ensure that collecting data is fun.” All the collected data is compiled behind the scenes. Using advanced machine learning algorithms, SCENT then extracts valuable information. This information is made available to local authorities, who can use it to, for example, improve flood modelling.
Citizen observatory in action
To highlight the important role that citizen-generated data plays in environmental monitoring, the project conducted a pilot programme in the Greek Region of Attica. Over 500 citizens set out with their SCENT smartphone applications and sensors to take photos and measurements along the Kifissos River basin. “When it comes to environmental monitoring, citizens often see things that professionals, who follow standardised guidelines, tend to miss,” says Eleni Velgaki, Head of Directorate-General of Development Planning, Public Works and Infrastructure, Region of Attica. “That’s why the data we generated during this initiative really put the spotlight on the issue of flooding, which is a major problem for many local communities.” Using this data, the Region is now implementing enhanced flood monitoring and prevention policies. “The SCENT project has contributed greatly to our ongoing efforts to implement an environmentally and economically sustainable flood prevention infrastructure,” notes Velgaki. The SCENT project conducted a similar pilot in the Danube Delta region of Romania, where flooding plays a necessary and beneficial role in maintaining the ecosystem.
An essential role
By empowering citizen scientists, the SCENT project has provided a low-cost extension of the EU’s Earth Observation infrastructure – one that will lead to better environmental decision-making. “What we’ve shown is that, when properly used, citizen-collected data can play an essential role in improving environmental monitoring and ensuring we are better prepared to respond to natural disasters,” adds Amditis. Although the project officially ended in 2019, the consortium continues to develop its citizen science tools and the four applications that comprise the so-called SCENT Toolbox. It is also working to make these apps available to additional communities.
Keywords
SCENT, environmental monitoring, citizen scientists, Earth Observation, Copernicus, climate change, augmented reality, flood modelling
