The iNaturalist mobile application serves a dual purpose by helping users identify plant, animal and insect species while simultaneously providing valuable data to researchers studying biodiversity and habitat changes.

The app allows users to photograph and identify various species they encounter in nature. This crowdsourced approach creates a database that scientists can use to track biodiversity patterns, monitor species decline, and study habitat loss across different regions.

The platform has developed a social component that encourages participation through competitive activities. Users can participate in "bioblitz" events - timed competitions where participants work to spot and identify as many species as possible within a designated timeframe.

Notable figures have embraced the app's community aspect, including television personality Martha Stewart, who has participated in these identification competitions alongside other users and technology journalists.

The combination of citizen science and gamification has created a system where recreational nature enthusiasts contribute to scientific research while engaging in educational activities about local ecosystems and wildlife identification.