> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://openscholarship.gitbook.io/chosn/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://openscholarship.gitbook.io/chosn/working-groups/use-case-supporting-citizen-science-with-trusted-data-infrastructure.md). # Use Case: Supporting Citizen Science with Trusted Data Infrastructure Use case developed with contributions by Robert Cubey, Plant Records Officer at Plant Records – Biodiversity Data & Collections Care at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Biodiversity research increasingly relies on large-scale citizen science observations and digitised natural history collections, shared, discovered, and reused through infrastructures such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility ([GBIF](https://www.gbif.org/)), which support interoperable standards including [Darwin Core](https://dwc.tdwg.org/) ([Eckert et al., 2024](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51899-1)). {% hint style="info" %} Repositories are essential infrastructure for ensuring that high-volume citizen data translates into reliable research, reinforcing the institution’s role as a trusted knowledge provider. {% endhint %} ## What the repository enabled * Access to curated, authoritative collections data * Standardised datasets that integrate with external platforms * Long-term preservation of verified reference material ## Research value Researchers identified measurable biological responses to climate change (e.g. changes in insect size linked to temperature). ## Institutional value * Positions the institution as a contributor to global climate science * Increases research visibility and citations * Extends the value of existing collections without additional acquisition costs ## Why this matters * Repository services ensure that institutional data remains reusable, interoperable, and visible * Amplifies the impact of both internal collections and external data Back