Using expert-elicitation to deliver biodiversity monitoring priorities on a Mediterranean island

• “There are sufficient ’and sustained’ contributors with specialist knowledge of their taxa”, were also important. Volunteer enthusiasm is known to be a key driver in sustaining participation in biodiversity recording schemes [44], and this can be supported through mentoring and training [58]. Expert-elicitation, as a mechanism for the development of a prioritised list of biodiversity monitoring needs in Cyprus, was selected following the successful application of this technique in the UK [44]. Indeed, Moreira and others [59] also recommend that alongside increasing transdisciplinary research, the identification of research priorities needs to be inclusive of the Table 3. Consensus-ranked list of biodiversity monitoring needs. Theme Step 3iii List of biodiversity monitoring needs Consensus priority group Human resource Mentoring, training and support for contributors is provided Top Design There is standardised methodology and protocols to ensure consistency Top Human resource There are quality assurance checks undertaken in order to ensure the accuracy of the records Top Design There is national or regional coordination Top Human resource There are sufficient ’and sustained’ contributors with specialist knowledge of their taxa Top Technological There are improved and accessible data systems (e.g. online) for efficient data capture and storage Top Human resource There is sustained participation Top Design/Human resource There is wide coverage across the country/region, e.g. covering remote and well-populated areas Top

Design Communicate the objectives of monitoring Top Other resource There are suitable and accessible identification guides Middle Analytical Change is reported at appropriate intervals e.g. on an annual basis Middle Design ‘Important’ or ‘indicator’ species have been identified Middle Human resource There is appropriate feedback to participants on survey results and findings Middle Analytical There is access to analytical expertise to measure trends from monitoring data Middle Design/Human resource There is extra effort on protected areas, e.g. Natura 2000 sites Bottom Design There is a scientific scheme design (such as stratified or randomised site selection) for statistical rigour Bottom Design/Human resource There is extra effort on priority species and habitats Bottom Technological/Human resource The data from monitoring schemes are widely disseminated Bottom Design/Technological There are simple ways for everyone to report widespread/common/ easily-identified species [wider engagement] Bottom Technological There are systems for electronically capturing data in the field Bottom Consensus-ranked list of biodiversity monitoring needs from the expert-elicitation workshop (Step 3), held in Cyprus in August 2017. Thirty-nine stakeholders participated in the workshop from the field of biodiversity monitoring in Cyprus and the UK. The number of votes each monitoring need received in the online survey was given and was used as a method for initially ranking the needs at the start of the elicitation work. During the expert-

elicitation process, five (of the 25) biodiversity monitoring needs were combined with to generate a final list of 20 for Cyprus. Consensus was reached on the top nine, the middle five and the bottom six monitoring needs. �Themes were added post-workshop. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256777.t003 PLOS ONE Expert-elicitation to prioritise biodiversity monitoring PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256777 March 24, 2022 13 / 20