Poster Presentation Australian Society for Fish Biology Conference 2025

Decadal nationwide assessment of climate-driven species redistribution using citizen science data (#205)

Barrett Wolfe 1 , Curtis Champion 2 , Troy Gaston 3 , Joshua Brown 4 , Melinda Coleman 2 , Tom Davis 2 , Sven Frijlink 5 , Thomas Hatley 6 , Freddie Heather 1 , Gary Jackson 4 , John Keane 1 , Shannon Kjeldsen 7 , Mark McGrouther 8 , Natalie Moltschaniwskyj 9 , Glenn Moore 10 , Rod Pearn 5 , Kate Rodda 11 , Jan Strugnell 7 , Jemina Stuart-Smith 1 , John Turnbull 12 , Sue-Ann Watson 7 , Gretta Pecl 1
  1. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
  2. NSW DPIRD Fisheries, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
  3. University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
  4. Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Perth, WA
  5. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Hobart, Tasmania
  6. Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Brisbane, QLD
  7. Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD
  8. Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW
  9. NSW DPIRD Chief Scientists Office, Port Stephens, NSW
  10. Western Australian Museum, Perth, WA
  11. South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions, Adelaide, SA
  12. University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW

Background

The growth of citizen science data collection represents an underutilised resource for the early detection of marine species range extensions (i.e., expansion of species' distributions at the poleward edge). We present a framework for the systematic assessment of evidence for marine species range extensions around Australia from observations collected by different citizen science programmes.

 Methods

Observations of 200 marine species on a preregistered target list from around Australia recorded from 2013–2022 were sourced from Redmap Australia, iNaturalist, and Reef Life Survey databases. We assessed the likelihood that each species underwent range extension using a decision-tree informed by citizen science observations and species traits.

 Results

In total, 73 species (39%) were observed out-of-range, comprising 76 range extensions along different coastlines. Twenty-five range extensions were assessed as high confidence, five with medium confidence, and 46 with low confidence. Range extensions were concentrated in Australia's southwest (Western Australia) and southeast (New South Wales and Tasmania). The mean and maximum extent of range extensions were 318 km and 1250 km, respectively. Most (91%) range extensions identified were not previously described in the scientific literature from other data.

 Conclusion

This assessment demonstrate that opportunistic citizen science monitoring can provide early detection of marine species range extensions at the continental scale. The results of this assessment are synthesised in two community engagement resources (state report cards and a national poster) and support an educational card game that utilises ‘species-on-the-move’ to communicate climate change impacts in marine systems.