Citizen scientists reveal nationwide trends and drivers in the breeding activity of a threatened bird, the malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)

Abstract

Citizen scientists regularly collect monitoring data for threatened species to improve the spatial and temporal resolution of sampling. Such programs should adopt robust data assurance measures and statistical approaches to reduce observer bias and better inform uncertainty estimates while supporting management decisions. In this study, we estimated trends and drivers of malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) breeding activity within a Bayesian hierarchical modelling framework using 1823 site × years of nest count data collected by volunteers in Australia. Our modelling suggests malleefowl breeding activity decreased 4.8% annually in South Australia (−0.050; 95%CIs −0.062, −0.037), decreased 2.1% annu..