Citizen science and aquatic macroinvertebrates: public engagement for catchment-scale pollution vigilance

Abstract

Citizen science aims to engage the wider population beyond scientists and statutory agencies, providing a catalyst for positive change and influencing policymakers and institutions. The Riverfly Partnership has been supporting a growing network of citizen science volunteers monitoring aquatic macroinvertebrates in rivers and streams across the United Kingdom since 2004. In Manchester, Salford and surrounding areas, Riverfly Partnership monitoring began in 2011 with volunteers from a catchment-wide fishing club. This provided a catalyst for broader public engagement, wider environmental projects, and the establishment of a new grassroots environmental charity. The vigilance of the network demonstrated its value by flagging a major pollution event wiping out all macroinvertebrates along 19 km of the River Irwell in April 2017. By evaluating monitoring data and the citizen science programs impacts, we identify key lessons for taking forward public engagement in river catchment management both in Greater Manchester and elsewhere.