Data from: Citizen science for bat research and conservation: An international scoping review dataset

Citizen science can play an important role in bat research and
conservation, providing valuable ecological data while engaging the public
in bat research and monitoring efforts. We conducted a scoping review of
peer-reviewed literature to assess: who is studying or using citizen
science for bat research and where; what methods are used in citizen
science research for bats; and whether research on bat citizen science has
demonstrated impact on participant engagement and scientific outcomes.
Fifty-one bat citizen science projects were published between 2014 and
2025. University-led research constitutes 68% (n = 26), underscoring the
increasing recognition of citizen science within academic research.
However, significant geographical gaps persist, with 67% (n = 35) of
studies conducted in Europe, 19% (n = 10) in North America, and limited
representation from Africa, Asia, South America, and Oceania. Acoustic
surveys dominate bat citizen science, accounting for 63% (n = 32) of
studies. A lack of region-specific automated acoustic classifiers
potentially hinders expansion into biodiversity-rich regions. Studies also
varied in their evaluation of participant engagement and conservation
outcomes, highlighting a need for more consistent reporting and stronger
links between research and conservation action. Addressing geographic and
methodological gaps requires broader institutional collaboration,
including partnerships with not-for-profit organisations, museums, and
government agencies. Such collaborations can strengthen links between
public participation, scientific outcomes, and conservation action, and in
turn, increase support for bat conservation, habitat protection, and
biodiversity policy objectives.