Innovative research projects from the University of Plymouth will use citizen science as a means of monitoring the effects of climate change.
Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the two initiatives will encourage communities in Peru and East Africa to get involved in studies examining the impacts of melting glaciers and soil erosion respectively.
They are among 20 supported by a UKRI programme designed to encourage academics to explore opportunities for building citizen science methodologies into their research.
Led by Lecturer in Physical Geography Dr Caroline Clason with Research Fellow Dr Sally Rangecroft, GlacierMap will use citizen science as a way of mapping glacier change in the Peruvian Andes.
It complements an ongoing initiative, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, which is assessing the impact of climate change on glacier-fed rivers in the South American country.
GlacierMap will enable members of the public to map glacier outlines from satellite imagery across multiple time periods using a free web-based mapping tool. It will help to increase public awareness of mountain glacier retreat, changes to meltwater production, and implications for water, food, and energy security, through experiential learning and interactive glacier mapping.
Specifically targeted at secondary school geography students, it is hoped the project will raise the profile of glaciology in education and increase awareness of the downstream impacts of glacier retreat.