Brief Chat
Dr . Romina King , an associate professor of geography at the University of Guam and associate director of the NASA Guam Space Grant program , is renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to the NASA Neural Multimodal Observation and Training Network , known as NASA NeMO-Net . This innovative project , honored with the prestigious NASA Group Achievement Award in 2022 , is reshaping the understanding and protection of vital coral reef ecosystems .
NeMO-Net is far from an ordinary app . It represents a cutting-edge tool employing citizen science to map coral reefs worldwide . King ’ s pivotal role in this project has been instrumental in placing Guam ’ s reefs , including the pristine marine protected areas of Piti and Tumon , on the global conservation map . Her team utilized drones and harnessed advanced sensing technology called “ fluid lensing ,” developed by Dr . Ved Chirayath , who led the NeMO-Net initiative .
The concept of citizen science entails the public ’ s participation in providing , collecting , and sometimes analyzing data for various projects , with the extent of participation varying by project .
For King , citizen science goes beyond data collection ; it embodies community engagement and collaboration . It inspires people from diverse scientific backgrounds to become scientists in their own right .
“ In science , we collect data , and oftentimes there is an overwhelming amount to collect and analyze . We can ’ t be everywhere at the same time ,” King said .
This is where citizen science within the NeMO-Net app plays a crucial role . Upon installing NeMO-Net , users unlock a unique feature : the ability to colorize 2D and 3D scans of the ocean floor . This functionality enables users to distinguish coral from algae and sand , generating valuable data that contributes to understanding coral reef ecosystems .
The data collected by app users aren ’ t merely stored ; they are transmitted to NASA ’ s formidable supercomputer called “ Pleiades .”
Thanks to the contributions of citizen
scientists , King said the supercomputer learns to distinguish between coral , sand and algae as users colorize these elements within the app . While humans currently excel in identifying coral , she said a higher number of participants results in more data points , enhancing the computer ’ s classification accuracy .
The NeMO-Net app serves as a bridge between science and the community . It not only advances our comprehension of coral reefs but also serves as an entry point for individuals to appreciate and support scientific research . King underscores the importance of ocean mapping , stating , “ The whole point of the NeMO-Net app is that we have so much coral in this world , and our oceans are among the least mapped places . We ’ ve achieved extreme precision in mapping the moon and Mars , but in terms of the ocean , we have not yet reached that level .”
King said citizen science contributes a unique perspective to scientific endeavors . It extends the reach of monitoring efforts by enlisting the help of the community , who act as additional observation points . These individuals provide invaluable data that may not be accessible through conventional research
Dr . Romina King Uncovering the depths and the power of citizen science By Louella Losinio
“ The whole point of the NeMO-Net app is that we have so much coral in this world , and our oceans are among the least mapped places . We ’ ve achieved extreme precision in mapping the moon and Mars , but in terms of the ocean , we have not yet reached that level .” methods .
“ Scientists can have eyes everywhere , all the time . In terms of monitoring efforts , if you have citizen scientists or outdoor enthusiasts who engage in activities such as hiking and diving , they effectively become observation points . I may not be physically present , but if they observe something and report it , that can offer additional information ,” she noted .
She cited the “ Eyes on the Reef ” initiative as a notable example , a community-based monitoring program where participants are trained to examine the reef and identify phenomena like coral bleaching . “ If they notice white coral , they take pictures and submit them ,” she said .
To maintain scientific standards in citizen science , King emphasizes the critical role of quality assurance and quality control . NeMO-Net engages expert marine biologists to review samples submitted by users . Prior to classifying data , participants must successfully complete a test to achieve a minimum accuracy rate of 90 percent , ensuring that their contributions meet scientific requirements .
Looking forward , King envisions numerous applications for citizen science beyond coral reef mapping . From monitoring sea-level rise to studying coastal flooding , she foresees limitless possibilities for engaging local communities in addressing urgent environmental challenges .
“ For NeMO-Net , this contributes to the goal of creating accurate maps of the world ’ s coral reef ecosystem , benefitting not only Guam but the entire world . This constitutes a valuable contribution to natural resource management because how can you manage your resources if you don ’ t know what you have or where they are , particularly in relation to potential threats ?” she emphasized .
King underscores the significance of equity in citizen science , urging scientists , research organizations , and groups to compensate participants when feasible and ensure that their contributions are duly recognized .
Louella Losinio is a science communicator with the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant . She is also a freelance contributor to various media publications . Follow her on Instagram at @ dotinthepacific . louella . mendoza . losinio @ gmail . com
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