Social media can help scientists track animal species as they relocate in response to climate change, new research shows.
Social media can help scientists track animal species as they relocate in response to climate change, new research shows.
The “range” inhabited by many species is shifting, and this is mostly tracked by formal monitoring schemes and surveys – but these methods may struggle to spot rapid changes, and sometimes overlook urban areas.
The new study – led by the University of Exeter – examined posts about Jersey tiger moths on Instagram and Flickr.
Instagram posts revealed that the moths are unexpectedly common in towns and cities, and – more importantly – the findings demonstrate how social media can be used to monitor our fast-changing natural world.
Read more at University of Exeter
Image: Photographing a Jersey tiger moth. (Credit: Tiffany Ki)
