Data-validation solutions for citizen science data on invasive alien species - Tailoring validation tools for the JRC app "Invasive Alien Species in Europe"

Aug 25, 2026

This technical report provides evidence-based scientific support for validating citizen science data on invasive alien species, with a focus on improving data reliability for decision-making. It develops and tailors data-validation tools aligned with the JRC smartphone app “Invasive Alien Species in Europe”. The report discusses data validation approaches used in citizen science, including expert/peer checks and automated assessments, and explains their role in ensuring data quality derived from non-traditional sources.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Acknowledgements

Abstract

Introduction

Background on alien species

The EU Regulation 1143/2014 on invasive alien species

Citizen science for alien species

Smartphone applications on alien species

The importance of data validation

The "Invasive Alien Species in Europe" smartphone application

Aim of the report

Data validation types in citizen science projects

Peer and expert verification

Automatic quality assessment

Model-based quality assessment

Chatbots and conversational agents

Data-validation solutions for citizen science data on invasive alien species Tailoring validation tools for the JRC app "Invasive Alien Species in Europe" Adriaens T, Tricarico E, Reyserhove L, Cardoso AC, Gervasini E, Lopez Canizares C, Mitton I, Schade S, Spinelli FA, Tsiamis K 2021 EUR 30857 EN This publication is a Technical report by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Commission’s science and knowledge service. It aims to provide evidence-based scientific support to the European policymaking process. The scientific output expressed does not imply a policy position of the European Commission. Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use that might be made of this publication. For information on the methodology and quality underlying the data used in this publication for which the source is neither Eurostat nor other Commission services, users should contact the referenced source. The designations employed and the presentation of material on the maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the European Union concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. EU Science Hub [https://ec.europa.eu/jrc](https://ec.europa.eu/jrc) JRC126140 EUR 30857 EN PDF ISBN 978-92-76-42055-2 ISSN 1831-9424 doi:10 . 2760/694386 Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2021 © European Union 2021 The reuse policy of the European Commission is implemented by the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU of 12 December 2011 on thereuse of Commission documents (OJ L 330, 14.12. 2011, p. 39) . Except otherwise noted, the reuse of this document is authorised under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) . This means that reuse is allowed provided appropriate credit is given and any changes are indicated. For any use or reproduction of photos or other material that is not owned by the EU, permission must be sought directly from the copyright holders. All content © European Union, 2021 How to cite this report: Adriaens T, Tricarico E, Reyserhove L, Cardoso AC, Gervasini E, Lopez Canizares C, Mitton I, Schade S, Spinelli FA, Tsiamis K Data-validation solutions for citizen science data on invasive alien species, Tailoring validation tools for the JRC app "Invasive Alien Species in Europe", EUR 30857 EN, Publications Office of the European, Luxembourg, 2021, ISBN 978-92-76-42055-2, doi:10.2760/ 694386, JRC126140 . Contents Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Abstract ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Background on alien species ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.2 The EU Regulation 1143/2014 on invasive alien species ....................................................................................................................3 1.3 Citizen science for alien species ........................................................

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the report?

It tailors data-validation solutions for citizen science data on invasive alien species to support reliable evidence for policymaking, using the JRC app “Invasive Alien Species in Europe” as the application context.

Which data validation approaches are covered for citizen science projects?

The report addresses peer and expert verification, automatic quality assessment, model-based quality assessment, and the use of chatbots and conversational agents.

Why is data validation important in citizen science for invasive alien species?

Validation is essential to ensure the quality and trustworthiness of data collected from non-traditional sources, improving the scientific usefulness of citizen science observations.

Aug 25, 2026

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