AMBER Barrier Tracker App V2
We’re excited to launch the new AMBER Barrier Tracker App V2. Over the past months, the Blue Rivers Foundation team has been working to improve this important citizen science tool, made possible thanks to the contributions of citizens, researchers, and river enthusiasts who use it to map river barriers across Europe. The Barrier Tracker is built on collaboration, as every observation helps fill critical knowledge gaps and strengthens our understanding of river fragmentation across the continent.
The app is now available for Android, with an iOS version coming soon
What’s New?
- Improved geolocation
More accurate GPS positioning, better map visualisation, and enhanced validation tools help ensure observations are reliable.
- New lateral barrier categories
The app now allows users to record lateral barriers, helping fill important knowledge gaps and providing a more complete picture of river fragmentation.
- Expert mode
Advanced users can access additional questions and more detailed classification options to improve data quality and reporting.
- Updated web platform
A redesigned online dashboard offers real-time statistics, rankings, interactive maps, and improved data visualisation for exploring collected observations.
Why Citizen Science Matters
Europe’s rivers are fragmented by millions of barriers, yet many remain unmapped. By contributing observations through the AMBER Barrier Tracker, citizens help generate valuable data that would otherwise be difficult and costly to collect at such a large scale. Every observation contributes to a better understanding of river connectivity and helps identify priorities for restoration and conservation.
Building Europe’s River Barrier Atlas Together
The AMBER Barrier Tracker is a key part of the effort to create the most comprehensive inventory of river barriers in Europe. By combining existing databases with observations collected by volunteers, we can close important data gaps and gain a clearer picture of how fragmented our rivers really are. The more barriers we know, the better we can prioritise barrier removal project or restoration to support river restoration and work towards healthier, free-flowing rivers across Europe.
Download the new AMBER Barrier Tracker App and help map the barriers shaping Europe’s rivers. 🌊