iNaturalist is a software platform that leverages the collective knowledge of a global community of nature enthusiasts to identify and document various species. iNaturalist combines the functionalities of citizen science and social media. Users can follow other users, comment on observations, engage in discussions, and join projects. These features foster a sense of community and enable users to connect with fellow nature lovers who share similar interests.

WatchSpotter stands apart from iNaturalist as a powerful data collection tool. It offers extensive customization options for researchers and project leads to design specific data collection protocols. This allows for the creation of custom sets of data points and the ability to ask citizen scientists questions about their observations. WatchSpotter also provides comprehensive features, including custom mapping, map filtering, data analytics, collaboration, and communication tools. These features make it a unique and unparalleled solution in the market.

What is the primary focus of iNaturalist?

iNaturalist is primarily citizen-focused, emphasizing the involvement of individuals in documenting and contributing to conservation efforts. It encourages users to share their observations and engage with the community to collectively build a comprehensive database of biodiversity.

What is the primary focus of WatchSpotter?

WatchSpotter is science-focused and designed specifically for researchers and project leads. It provides tools for custom data collection, allowing researchers to create specific sets of data points and ask questions to citizen scientists regarding their observations.

Conclusion

While both platforms involve the collection of data and contribute to scientific understanding, their emphasis and target audience differ. iNaturalist emphasizes citizen engagement and participation in biodiversity documentation, while WatchSpotter focuses on providing researchers with a comprehensive data collection and analysis tool.