title: Open Air Laboratories (OPAL): a community-driven research programme.
abstract: OPAL is an English national programme that takes scientists into the community to investigate environmental issues. Biological monitoring plays a pivotal role covering topics of: i) soil and earthworms; ii) air, lichens and tar spot on sycamore; iii) water and aquatic invertebrates; iv) biodiversity and hedgerows; v) climate, clouds and thermal comfort. Each survey has been developed by an inter-disciplinary team and tested by voluntary, statutory and community sectors. Data are submitted via the web and instantly mapped. Preliminary results are presented, together with a discussion on data quality and uncertainty. Communities also investigate local pollution issues, ranging from nitrogen deposition on heathlands to traffic emissions on roadside vegetation. Over 200,000 people have participated so far, including over 1000 schools and 1000 voluntary groups. Benefits include a substantial, growing database on biodiversity and habitat condition, much from previously unsampled sites particularly in urban areas, and a more engaged public.
authors: Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK. l.davies@imperial.ac.uk
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Davies
authors: J N B
authors: JN
authors: Bell
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Bone
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Head
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Hill
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Howard
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Hobbs
authors: D T
authors: DT
authors: Jones
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Power
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Rose
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Ryder
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Seed
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Stevens
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Toumi
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Voulvoulis
authors: P C L
authors: PC
authors: White
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D003256:Community Participation; D004739:England; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006078:Government Programs; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants