Audio-Visual Tools in Science Communication: The Video Abstract in Ecology and Environmental Sciences

In recent years, the use of videos by scientific community has evolved continuously. Researchers, communicators, and other players are using audio-visual media to reinvent their stories, deconstruct complex phenomena increase outreach impact publications. An example this trend is video abstract: an representation key findings described in written abstract. Much research area new focused on content analysis classification online science videos. Furthermore, studies with environmental communication attached specific topics like climate change. So far, a small fraction publications explored study abstract, its effects, potential, as one general area. This paper provides first characterization abstracts areas Ecology Environmental Sciences. We identified 29 journals, based impact, representativeness visibility criteria. A database 171 videos, from 7 publishers 17 different channels was created. Each analyzed for parameters. The considered not only characteristics each video, but also corresponding papers. Results indicate that between 2010 2018 number increased sevenfold. Despite growth, there no solid strategy disseminating While most them still associated classic models, such documentaries, disruptive formats animation ones arouse greater interest. Professional shorter (2–3 min length) showed significantly higher daily views papers garnered citations per day. data, combined future qualitative research, will help develop model validating quality abstract provide insights into global science.