Special app analyses experiences of Wadden Sea tourists

Actieplan Vaarrecreatie Waddenzee (a project aiming to regulate recreational sailing in the Wadden Sea) commissioned the Faculty of Spatial Sciences to develop an app for smart phones to record the experiences of people visiting the Wadden Sea. The app is designed to help researchers understand why people behave the way they do when spending time on the Wadden Sea.

Greentracker

A lot of people venture out onto the Wad (an area of mudflats) in the summer, to sail, surf or have the experience of mudflat hiking. Researchers want to collect more information about how these people behave on the Wad. At present, the Monitoring Consortium MOCO (a consortium that combines a range of expertise from research institutes) correlates data on the current state of the nature in the Wadden Sea and the damage caused by leisure pursuits. But the data relating to sailing activity on the Wad is still incomplete. Why do people want to sail on the Wadden Sea? What are they looking for? What do they enjoy? Researchers think they know the answers to these questions, but as yet, there has been no scientific research. Hence the special app, which has been dubbed the Greentracker.

How it works

The aim of the Greentracker is to provide a subtler picture of the interaction between recreation and nature. When people download the app, the GPS on their smart phone automatically tracks their journeys on the Wadden Sea. Users can then use the app to report the highlights of their trip. This could include their favourite routes and moments, and/or memorable spots along the route. Afterwards, the route is analysed and photos are stored, giving users a chance to relive the journey they’ve just made. But it also gives researchers a chance to obtain important information about the motives of people enjoying the Wadden Sea. In addition to the app, recreational sailors are also monitored using radar and AID (a type of radar used for larger, selected ships).

Download the app

The aim is to have at least 150 tracks in 2018. This should generate a varied picture which includes, for example, privately-owned ships, professional shipping, and more importantly, passengers taking trips on tour boats. The professional shipping industry has already been approached, but the researchers are still looking for more private boat-owners and passengers to take part. So if you’re heading for the Wad on a boat this summer, even if it’s just a trip lasting a couple of hours, download the Greentracker in the App store or via Google Play.