Media release – 17 February 2026
17 February 2026 – Biosphere Expeditions, the award-winning wildlife conservation NGO, is proud to announce that citizen science data from its Maldives and Oman coral reef projects have been used and acknowledged in a recent peer-reviewed paper published in Nature Communications, one of the world’s leading scientific journals.
The paper warns that ‘the impacts of ocean warming on coral reefs are accelerating, with the near certainty that ongoing warming will cause large-scale, possibly irreversible, degradation of these essential ecosystems’.
Citizen science data of global significance
The paper, published in Nature Communications, represents top-tier international research, marks a major milestone for Biosphere Expeditions and highlights the growing impact of citizen science on cutting-edge research. It underscores the valuable contribution of Biosphere Expeditions’ citizen scientists and volunteers to rigorous, high-level scientific work.
The citizen science/volunteering model
For almost three decades, Biosphere Expeditions has pioneered a model that brings together professional scientists and members of the public to conduct meaningful field research. Volunteers work alongside experts to collect high-quality data that contribute directly to conservation science and peer-reviewed publications.
‘This recognition demonstrates that citizen science, when done properly, can meet the highest scientific standards’, says Dr. Matthias Hammer, founder and executive director of Biosphere Expeditions, who is personally acknowledged in the paper.
‘Our participants are not just observers; they are active contributors to globally significant research and a host of positive conservation outcomes worldwide’.
Science is strongest when inclusive, collaborative and open to all
From studying endangered species to monitoring ecosystems under pressure, Biosphere Expeditions has consistently shown that committed citizens can help generate data robust enough to inform international science and policy, and create real-world conservation successes.
‘This achievement is not only a celebration of one publication, but also of a powerful idea: that science is strongest when it is inclusive, collaborative and open to all’, concludes Hammer.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Media contact: Dr. Matthias Hammer, m.hammer@biosphere-expeditions.org
The next Maldives citizen science expeditions runs 17 – 23 October 2026. Further information on the Biosphere Expeditions website.
Biosphere Expeditions is a wildlife conservation non-profit first and foremost, driven by science and citizen scientist. Our planet is in crisis, with nature under attack like never before. We believe everyone has the power to change this. We are mindful of nature and empower people through citizen science and hands-on wildlife conservation. We are a non-profit, visionary, award-winning and ethical conservation organisation. We are a member of the IUCN, the UN’s Environment Programme and the European Citizen Science Association. Working hand-in-hand with local biologists and communities since 1999, we champion change and protect nature. And we succeed – the creation of protected areas on four continents is just one example of our many achievements.
Citizen science is defined as “public participation in scientific research”. It is an important vehicle for democratising science and promoting the goal of universal and equitable access to scientific data and information. In addition, data generated by citizen science groups have become an increasingly important source for scientists, applied users and those pursuing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In nature conservation in particular, international citizen science has become increasingly important as a duel stream of data and funding.
RESOURCES
Online press pack with image library, press releases & news, press trip information, etc.
Full list of forthcoming expeditions (press trip offers available 4-8 weeks in advance).
Annual Biosphere Expeditions Magazines with stories from the field, achievements, etc.
These and other expedition pictures in HD. Captions on request.
Biosphere Expeditions: blogs from the frontline of wildlife conservation and the fight for a more sustainable planet 