Appreciating and Archiving Present-Day Naturalists' Contributions to Science

摘要

Natural history, which is studied through the practice of directly observing plants and animals, has been the basis for key scientific advancements, including the theories of evolution and resource partitioning. Whether the term is applied to historical figures such as Charles Darwin, Robert MacArthur, Henry David Thoreau, and John Muir or to present-day birdwatchers devotedly pursuing life lists, a naturalist can be characterized as an individual pursuing deeper awareness or knowledge of species and ecosystems as a passion rather than as an occupation. Many naturalists contribute valuable observations to formal citizen science programs, such as breeding-bird surveys, the Christmas Bird Count, or plant surveys; there are also many individuals who document observations of plants or animals independent of any formal program or institution. Commitments made by such independent naturalists to their passion can span years or decades and range into the tens of thousands of hours.