How species identification apps affect users’ experiences of nature observing

Datos Bibliográficos

ID23311870
AutoresSonia H Stephens (0000-0002-2953-7579, University of Central Florida, autor de correspondencia)
Año2026
Fecha de publicación2026-07-29
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Environmental Studies and Sciences (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2190-6491 • E-ISSN: 2190-6483
EditorialSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s13412-026-01135-7
OpenAlexW7171640071
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas35

This study reports on interviews with amateur nature observers, focusing on how using species identification apps which incorporate computer vision tools to help users identify organisms affects their experiences of nature. Species identification apps may be used in the context of the hobby of personal nature observation as well as for community and citizen science projects and nature education. Interviews with 18 individual app users show that these users adapt their use of apps to suit their own observing preferences and find that using apps can change users’ relationships to traditional identification technologies like field guides and help deepen their interactions with naturalist communities and learn and exercise different identification skills. Some app users reported experiencing an enriched sense of connection to nature while others were concerned about their use of apps interfering with a holistic experience of place. Study results are discussed in light of a general shift in observational practices facilitated by apps.

Affect (linguistics) · Amateur · Citizen science · Context (archaeology) · Field (mathematics) · Hobby · Identification (biology) · Smartphone app · Animal and Plant Science Education · Environmental Education and Sustainability · Species Distribution and Climate Change