全球智库信息集成服务系统

Key messages

• Low-cost, reliable methods for monitoring water levels and water quality are needed to assist water-resource managers in their decision-making.
• ‘Citizen scientists’ willing to take part in simple monitoring activities can expand the data sets in understudied regions.
• We worked with citizens in a remote Kenyan catchment who contributed valuable water level and water-quality data. Long-term motivation of participants, active recruiting of new volunteers, and an effective reward system will be key to sustainable citizen-resourced water-monitoring programmes.
• Data provided by ‘citizen scientists’ can be scientifically robust and cost-effective in supporting the monitoring needed to inform the development of water management strategies.