Use of the Social Network iNaturalist in the Educational Process

Abstract

Purpose: to consider practical results of iNaturalist electronic platform use in courses of "Biogeography", "Biodiversity" and "Landscape-ecological student practice". Materials and methods. iNaturalist social network bases on a concept of biodiversity mapping with data exchange from observers from around the globe. An important condition for observations inclusion in scientific circulation is their compliance with the minimum requirements (date, geographical coordinates of an observation, author's photograph/series of photographs of an organism or an audio record of its voice, being in nature) and a choice of a free license. Results and discussion. During the student practice about 5028 observations of 641 species were loaded. In addition to widespread indigenous plants, invasive and rare plants included in their number. Of great value are 22 finds of species from Red Data Book of Russia and Voronezh oblast, including 14 from new habitats. Conclusion. Capabilities of iNaturalis artificial intelligence and efficiency of organisms identifying by the expert community are the advantages of the platform. The disadvantage is limitations associated with a display of anatomical, micromorphological and other features necessary for an accurate identification of some taxa.