Genoa taps help from citizen scientists to track biodiversity and preserve new species

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Genoa has enlisted the help of citizen scientists to help track alien species in the city, particularly parakeets and budgerigars. The city headed by Mayor of Genoa Marco Bucci launched the monitoring project in cooperation with the Giacomo Doria Natural History Museum, regional environmental public agency ARPAL and the University of Genoa.

The project is part of a broader programme aimed at analysing the urban space of Genoa, especially the presence of wild animals. Many alien species have entered and started spreading in European ecosystems in the last years.

These include the Rose-ringed parakeet native to Asia and Africa, and the Amazon parrot native to South America, which need to be monitored in other Italian and European cities. The species, popular as pets, were introduced to the ecosystems unintentionally in the 1970s.

Since their introduction, the species have colonised many green areas of Genoa and their populations continue to grow, increasing the need for monitoring.

Deputy Mayor of Genoa for Environment and Sustainability Matteo Campora pointed out that the project will help with the planning of any interventions and added that citizens are submitting hundreds of sighting reports.

He noted that citizens who spot parrots can submit reports listing the place, date and time of the sighting with a photograph to help identify the species.

Genovese Councillor for Animals Francesca Corso stressed the importance of the project for sustainability of the urban ecosystem and better scientific understanding of effects that foreign species have on ecosystems.

(Photo credit: Roberto Carlos Román Don / Unsplash)