ABSTRACT
Determining where and when species occur is central to understanding patterns of biodiversity both within and between cities. A powerful tool for understanding species’ presence and phenology is citizen science, which can harness the power of large numbers of individuals in assisting with research. Here we describe a general approach for developing citizen science projects that can advance our knowledge of urban species and their ecological interactions, including the pitfalls, challenges, and benefits. While citizen science projects may not be ideal for all situations, they provide an important means for democratizing science, increasing ecological literacy, and advancing our knowledge of biodiversity.
