Biodiversity change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Understanding it requires research - and many open eyes and hands. The Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) invites citizen scientists to actively participate in researching this change. In various citizen science projects at our locations in Bonn and Hamburg, we combine scientific expertise with the commitment and curiosity of society.
Whether in the form of bioblitzes in the museum park, recording moths in your own garden, monitoring birds and amphibians in urban green spaces, or working on genetic biodiversity data - citizen scientists make an indispensable contribution to researching and protecting our biodiversity.
Our projects are aimed at different groups: from interested nature observers, garden owners and students to experienced taxon experts. Together, we create a database that helps to understand and conserve biodiversity and develop sustainable solutions for the future.
Find out more about our current projects and how you can become part of our citizen science community - join the research at the LIB.
The LIB participates in various Citizen Science networks and working groups - both nationally and internationally. By working together, the Citizen Science stakeholders aim to promote the transfer of knowledge and the multiplication of Citizen Science in society and politics.
Citizen science projects
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Communities Observing Green Spaces (COGS)
Management: Dr. Sarah Bourlat
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LEPMON: Recording the biodiversity of moths (Lepidoptera) with AI
Management: Dr. Peter Grobe
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FörTax - Promotion of taxonomic knowledge as a basis for nature conservation
Management: Dr. Katja Waskow
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NaPA - Nature-friendly agriculture
Management: Dr. Tamara Hartke
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BGE - Biodiversity Genomics Europe
Management: Dr. habil. Astrid Böhne
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GIBBS (Holistic Biodiversity Management in the Building Materials Industry)
Management: Prof. Dr. Christoph Scherber
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CaBOL - Caucasus Barcode of Life
Management: Dr. Jonas Astrin
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KennArt
Management: Albia Consul
Citizen Science Publications
Soßdorf, A., Eich-Brod, R., Beißert, U., Ferschinger, L., Berenice Fischer, S., Gallach, L., Kardinal, M., Langer, F., Liebetanz, M., Nöske, N., Pfeiffer, J., Stender, C., Turck, A. (2024): Wegweiser Citizen Science - Tipps und Methoden zu den Themen Partizipation, Teilnehmende, Motivation, Bürokratie und Evaluation. mit:forschen https://zenodo.org/records/13148678
Sforzi, A., Tweddle, J., Vogel, J., Lois, G., Wägele, W., Lakeman-Fraser, P., Makuch, Z., Vohland, K. (2018): Citizen science and the role of natural history museums. In: Hecker, S., Haklay, M., Bowser, A., Makuch, Z., Vogel, J. & Bonn, A. 2018. Citizen Science: Innovation in Open Science, Society and Policy. UCL Press, London. https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/j.ctv550cf2.36.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3A8fe7d810991db0d9b81865b7a5fff452&ab_segments=&origin=&initiator=&acceptTC=1
Corrales, C., Bacela-Spychalska, K., Buzan, E., Ekrem, T., Ferreira, S., Goodall-Copestake, W., van Ommen Kloeke, E., Hollingsworth, P.M. and Bourlat, S.J. (2025), The Role of Community Science in DNA-Based Biodiversity Monitoring. Mol Ecol, 34: e70100. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.70100
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