Reconstructing the dynamics of managed populations to estimate the impact of citizen surveillance

Abstract

Reconstructions of population histories can shed light on the impact of citizen surveillance on managed populations. This can inform efforts to make best use of citizen surveillance as an alternative or complement to organised surveillance by public agencies in conservation, sustainable harvesting and control programs. We reconstructed the history of an invasive population of red-imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) and the management actions taken to eradicate the population, some of which were influenced by citizen reports. The invasion histories were represented as a graph that considered relationships between citizen reports, invader population dynamics and management actions. We estimated that citizen reports slowed the invasion's spread and/or reduced the cost of containment. Our approach can readily be extended to estimate the impact of citizen surveillance support programs, and thereby provide a rigorous empirical basis for the design of such programs. Show more