Budburst App Review
Budburst App Review
I came across the Budburst app while doing a project on Phenology and Climate Change. The Budburst app is a nation-wide citizen science project that allows users to catalog plants and pollinators in their areas. The app works simply as you create an account and there are user guides to show you how to use the features. There are different projects going on at different times that you can participate in. One of these projects was the Phenology and Climate Change project I participated in this past Spring.
When you take a picture of a plant the app gives you options to help you identify the species of plant you have found. Once you select the species it gives you a series of questions that walks you through what stages the plant may be in. This information is then compiled in your library under "My Plants." You can go back through your library to compare and see what plants you have identified and where.
The data collected through this citizen science project goes into the Budburst database where scientists and researchers can see trends and changes in plants during different times of the year. From this they gather information and publish articles. Lists of the articles can be found on the app and the Budburst website.
Pros:
- The app gives you a list of options that a plant could be so you can correctly identify what you have found.
- There are resources to explain what phenology and climate change are, as well as training resources to explain how the app works and why it is important.
- It encourages citizen science allowing people to get involved with nature and understand more about how the world is changing.
- You can go back into a plant you have already identified and add another sighting and more information about the plant.
- There are new projects to help keep people engaged.
Cons:
- Sometimes the options can be confusing as they may look similar to each other, so a wildflower and plant identification book may be useful.
- Internet connection is needed so the app may not be great for out in the wood's hikes or low cell service areas.
*Pictures came from the budburst app and webpage*
Pictures and Link:
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