Tuesday, February 18, 2025 CET

Biologer: A Citizen Science Platform

What is Biologer?

Biologer is an interactive platform for collecting and sharing biodiversity data. Initially launched as a local initiative, it is now active in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. It's community of scientists, experts, and nature enthusiasts collaborates to document and conserve nature. Biologer is an open initiative that welcomes all individuals, associations, and institutions to contribute to software development, data collection, and nature conservation. Thanks to its simple data collection and analysis process, it serves as a valuable tool for anyone working in conservation. Users can submit their observations via the web platform and mobile apps, while expert editors (admins) review and verify the data to ensure accuracy and reliability. All collected data can be used for scientific and educational purposes, as well as for habitat restoration. By selecting a license, the user decides what they wish to share and can later change the license for new or existing data with admin approval. Biologer supports open and scientifically verifiable data and does not recommend closed licenses. Good scientific practice requires transparency of data regarding records (person, location, date). However, if a user wishes to restrict access to their personal data, they can choose a closed license.

Why Join?

There are still many areas in Croatia where data on species presence is lacking. Effective conservation planning requires decisions based on high-quality data. Biologer helps identify key areas and enables conservation efforts where they are most needed, ensuring a long-term impact on preserving our natural heritage.

Collected data is used for various purposes:

Research and scientific studies – Biologer data contributes to scientific research and helps identify priority species and habitats for further study.
Nature conservation planning – The platform is used for reports, proposing conservation measures, and managing protected areas.
Education and awareness – Educators use Biologer as a tool for field teaching, research projects, and public engagement in nature conservation.

LIFE for Mauremys and Biologer

Biologer is an important tool in the LIFE for Mauremys project. Biologists from the Hyla Association use it during every field survey in the project areas, recording not only observations of the Balkan terrapin but also other species that serve as indicators of the health of Mediterranean wetland habitats. The collected data helps in identifying key habitats, planning the breeding program, and defining activities to improve the conservation status of the species. Furthermore, Biologer enables the involvement of the local community in monitoring the status of the Balkan Terrapin and its habitats in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, contributing to raising awareness and long-term protection of this endangered species.

Do I Need Biology Knowledge to Participate?

No prior biology knowledge is required to participate in Biologer. If you cannot identify a species, the admins will determine it based on the uploaded photo and verify the observation before it becomes visible. Providing high-quality and detailed photos greatly helps this process.

How to Start Using Biologer?

I. Register on the platform: https://biologer.hr/

II. Download the Biologer mobile app and log in.

III. Next time you see an interesting animal while out for a walk, open Biologer!

IV. Upload a photo and enter (roughly) the species name - Biologer admins will take care of the rest.

V. Track the status of your observations on the Biologer platform.

The Biologer web platform can be used independently, but the mobile app has the advantage of automatically recording and saving coordinates, altitude, date, and observer information in the field, making data collection faster and more accurate.