Citizen scientists monitor coastal erosion using smartphone photography

A citizen science project that tracks coastal change has grown to cover 21 countries since it started in Australia in 2017. The project, called CoastSnap, asks volunteers to photograph beaches and shorelines from fixed camera stations. Each station has a phone holder and a sign explaining what to do. By taking photos from the same spot over time, volunteers build a record of how the coastline is changing. This helps researchers and local authorities see the effects of storms, erosion, and rising sea levels. The project now operates along England's south-west coast and many other locations worldwide. Satellite programmes like Sentinel-2 and Landsat also collect shoreline data, and together with volunteer photos, they give coastal planners a clearer picture of where protection may be needed.