PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Roy, Helen E. AU - Groom, Quentin AU - Adriaens, Tim AU - Agnello, Gaia AU - Antic, Marina AU - Archambeau, Anne-Sophie AU - Bacher, Sven AU - Bonn, Aletta AU - Brown, Peter AU - Brundu, Giuseppe AU - López, Bernat Claramunt AU - Cleary, Michelle AU - Cogălniceanu, Dan AU - de Groot, Maarten AU - De Sousa, Tiago AU - Deidun, Alan AU - Essl, Franz AU - Fišer Pečnikar, Živa AU - Gazda, Anna AU - Gervasini, Eugenio AU - Glavendekic, Milka M. AU - Gigot, Guillaume AU - Jelaska, Sven D. AU - Jeschke, Jonathan M. AU - Kaminski, Dariusz AU - Karachle, Paraskevi K. AU - Komives, Tamas AU - Lapin, Katharina AU - Lucy, Frances AU - Marchante, Elizabete AU - Marisavljevic, Dragana AU - Marja, Riho AU - Martín Torrijos, Laura AU - Martinou, Angeliki AU - Matosevic, Dinka AU - Mifsud, Clare Marie AU - Motiejūnaitė, Jurga AU - Ojaveer, Henn AU - Pasalic, Nataša AU - Pekárik, Ladislav AU - Per, Esra AU - Pergl, Jan AU - Pesic, Vladimir AU - Pocock, Michael AU - Reino, Luís AU - Ries, Christian AU - Rozylowicz, Laurentiu AU - Schade, Sven AU - Sigurdsson, Snorri AU - Steinitz, Ofer AU - Stern, Nir AU - Teofilovski, Aco AU - Thorsson, Johann AU - Tomov, Rumen AU - Tricarico, Elena AU - Trichkova, Teodora AU - Tsiamis, Konstantinos AU - van Valkenburg, Johan AU - Vella, Noel AU - Verbrugge, Laura AU - Vétek, Gábor AU - Villaverde, Cristina AU - Witzell, Johanna AU - Zenetos, Argyro AU - Cardoso, Ana Cristina TI - Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science (Alien-CSI) DP - 07/11/2018 TA - Research Ideas and Outcomes VI - 4 4100 - https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.4.e31412 SO - RIO07/11/2018; AB - There is no sign of saturation in accumulation of alien species (AS) introductions worldwide, additionally the rate of spread for some species has also been shown to be increasing. However, the challenges of gathering information on AS are recognized. Recent developments in citizen science (CS) provide an opportunity to improve data flow and knowledge on AS while ensuring effective and high quality societal engagement with the issue of IAS (Invasive Alien Species). Advances in technology, particularly on-line recording and smartphone apps, along with the development of social media, have revolutionized CS and increased connectivity while new and innovative analysis techniques are emerging to ensure appropriate management, visualization, interpretation and use and sharing of the data. In early July 2018 we launched a European CO-operation in Science and Technology (COST) Action to address multidisciplinary research questions in relation to developing and implementing CS, advancing scientific understanding of AS dynamics while informing decision-making specifically implementation of technical requirements of relevant legislation such as the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on IAS. It will also support the EU biodiversity goals and embedding science within society. The Action will explore and document approaches to establishing a European-wide CS AS network. It will embrace relevant innovations for data gathering and reporting to support the implementation of monitoring and surveillance measures, while ensuring benefits for society and citizens, through an AS CS European network. The Action will, therefore, increase levels of participation and quality of engagement with current CS initiatives, ensuring and evaluating educational value, and improve the value outcomes for potential users including citizens, scientists, alien species managers, policy-makers, local authorities, industry and other stakeholders. IS -