Mapping the Potential of Citizen Science for Biosecurity and Forest Protection
When: January-June 2026 (negociable)
Where: UMR BIOGECO (INRAE, University of Bordeaux)
Funding: ~ 600 € per month
Contact: bastien.castagneyrol@inrae.fr
Context
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Forests are vital ecosystems that provide essential ecological, economic, and social services. However, they are increasingly threatened by multiple stressors, including climate change and the steadily increasing introduction of non-native pests. These invasive organisms represent a major challenge for forest health, as they can spread rapidly, disrupt ecological balance, and cause severe economic and biodiversity losses.
Early detection of invasive pests is a cornerstone of biosecurity and forest protection. Rapid identification of newly introduced pests allows for timely eradication efforts. Current surveillance schemes are, however, constrained by the vast areas to be covered and the limited resources available to national and EU plant protection authorities.
In this context, citizen science offers a promising yet still underused avenue to strengthen surveillance capacity. Although currently unstructured in many regions, involving the public in systematic biodiversity monitoring initiatives has the potential to significantly improve early detection and reporting of forest pests.
Goals
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The present project aims to provide a quantitative assessment of the potential contribution of citizen science to forest health surveillance. Specifically, we seek to:
1/ Characterize the behavior of participants on online biodiversity-oriented citizen science platforms;
2/ Identify user profiles with a high probability of reporting occurrences of regulated non-native forest pests;
3/ Develop opportunity maps that highlight areas where citizen scientists are most likely to effectively complement official surveillance schemes conducted by local authorities.
Desired profile
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We are seeking a candidate with a strong interest in programming and data analysis, and solid proficiency in R. Skills in GIS will be considered an asset.
Practical information
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The internship will take place at the BIOGECO laboratory (INRAE, University of Bordeaux). The selected candidate will join the BIODIV team at the Pierroton site (20 km south of Bordeaux). S/He will be provided with office space, a computer, and the scientific and technical supervision necessary for the development of the project. This internship is part of the European FORSAID project. The selected candidate will benefit from regular interactions with project partners in Switzerland and Slovenia.
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