Introduction

For centuries, volunteers have accumulated data on animals and plants, developing what is now known as “citizen science” or “community science.” It is meaningful for ecologists to be involved in community science for the future of ecology. This book “Community Science in Ecology: Case Studies of Public Participation in Ecological Research in Japan” covers case studies of community science programs conducted by ecologists (Chaps. 3 , 4 , 5 , and 6 ), NPO staff (Chap. 7 ), and museum curators (Chaps. 8 and 9 ) in Japan. It also covers a wide range of topics needed to study and practice community science: basic knowledge about community science (Chap. 2 ), science communication (Chap. 10 ), database and the rights of participants (Chap. 11 ), decision-making in community science (Chap. 12 ), alien species extermination (Chap. 13 ), and wetland restoration with participants (Chap. 14 ). To understand why this book includes these chapters, I provide an overview of community science in the field of ecology by referring to these chapters in the Introduction. Introduction consists of “Ecological Community Science,” “Ecological Community Science for Ecologists,” “Ecological Community Science in Japan,” “Science Communication and Data Openness of Ecological Community Science,” “Decision-making and Conservation Activities in Ecological Community Science,” and “Organization of This Book.”