The pollination service for environmental sustainability: citizen science and scientific monitoring

The work done within the framework of my PhD project was carried out between January 2022 and January 2025 at the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences of the University of Bologna, under the supervision of Prof. Marta Galloni and Ph.D. Marta Barberis and Gherardo Bogo. A period of six months was spent at the CSIC-IMEDEA advanced research center, under the supervision of the researcher Anna Traveset. The main aim of the thesis was to assess the effectiveness of participatory projects in pollinator conservation, focusing on the integration of Citizen Science and ecological monitoring. This was achieved through field studies, questionnaire-based assessments, and biodiversity data collection. The project highlighted how public engagement can enhance pollinator-friendly practices and biodiversity awareness. The results show that citizen science initiatives, when combined with targeted conservation measures, significantly improve knowledge acquisition and the adoption of pollinator-friendly behaviours. Additionally, the work underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and follow-up to ensure long-term behavioural change and conservation success. This integrated approach provides a scalable model for promoting pollinator conservation across different socio-ecological contexts.