I hope this isn’t duplicative. I could not find a similar discussion. We appear to have a number of people who reduce known IDs to genus level for no apparent reason and without comment. We also have too many who conform IDs after many others have confirmed. This is sad and takes up valuable space. …

HI I use iNaturalist for two purposes - one to add to the scientific dataset and to keep my own records. So, a genus level ID is not helpful. What is really useful is if I do get it wrong and someone can correct the ID to another species. Some mistakes are loading up the wrong photo when doing mu…

A genus level ID can be helpful to you because it can get your observation seen by someone who knows how to ID the species of that genus. Some specialist identifiers search only in a narrow set of taxa.

[image] DanielAustin: I am struggling to understand why you find it “sad” that somebody might ID something several others have already IDed… I agree. If I take the time to confirm at an observation in a species I follow, I give my opinion.

Genus ID is not helpful - if the person changing is only doing it because they are unsure from the photo, it is helpful if they know it is not that species, but cannot be sure which it is , but in fairness to the observer they should say this and not change it to Genus without comment - I have had i…

I think, becasically people need to consider records without photographs are accepted and stay as causal, there is nothing wrong with a photograph staying casual if you cannot ID it to a species level.

In my humble opinion, as a newbie, and having been guilty of said “agree” identification, I don’t think it is usually malicious. The AI guiding suggestions is really impressive, and I have used it to suggest ID’s and to “agree” at times. While birds, butterflies, dragonflies etc are usually quick…

One solution would be to post the details you used to field identify the species in the comments section. That way other identifiers know that you are very familiar with the group and can use the information to decide if they want to agree with your ID or not. If someone says a moth identification i…

[image] clamsdell: Genus ID is not helpful I think the “genus-level ID” discussion needs to be clarified a little. A genus-level ID can come from two directions: It can result as a lower level ID for an observation initially placed at family or higher level (or in an erroneous genus). That …

It must be frustrating when your species ID’s are correct but get backed up to genus. There are things you can do to help avoid that. Realize that we identifiers can only base our ID on your photos plus any comments you write. So write comments. Explain what you observed that is important but ca…

Nobody should be bumping back to genus unless they see evidence it is NOT that species, OR they know the wider community would agree with them in lieu of an absent or non responsive identifier (ie it should not be “irritating” anybody in doing so!) “Agree” identifications are not problematic per se…

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