Key Takeaways
- 1,000 volunteers buried cotton underpants to study soil health.
- The project aimed to assess decomposition rates in various environments.
- Results showed land use significantly affects soil quality.
- The new “underpants index” offers a playful method for soil assessment.
Citizen Science Project
In an unusual citizen science initiative, a thousand people buried cotton underpants for two months. This effort aimed to map soil health across 25 countries, with findings published in the journal Plants People Planet. Co-author Marcel van der Heijden, an agroecologist at the University of Zurich, noted that soil management significantly impacts soil life and quality, which are important for fertility and ecosystem services.
Importance of Soil Health
Soil health is essential for agriculture and food security, yet it has been declining globally. Decomposition rates of organic matter, such as leaves and wood, serve as key indicators of soil health. While smaller studies have explored how land use affects soil biodiversity, large-scale national studies have been limited.
Innovative Approach
Traditionally, researchers have used commercially available teabags to measure decomposition rates, known as the “teabag index.” However, van der Heijden and his team sought a more engaging method. They decided to involve volunteers in a project they called “Proof by Underpants,” using cotton underpants as a fun way to assess soil decomposition.
The Underpants Index
The project involved 1,000 volunteers, including 240 co-authors, who received an activity pack containing two pairs of organic cotton underpants, 12 teabags, and soil sampling materials. Participants buried the underpants and teabags at selected sites, documenting their condition after 30 and 60 days.
Findings
The results indicated that land use was the primary factor influencing decomposition rates. Underpants decomposed fastest in private gardens, which had the highest organic matter levels, while lawns showed the least activity. Temperature, moisture, and soil nutrient levels also played significant roles in decomposition.
The study concluded that the “underpants index” provided insights into soil conditions comparable to the teabag index, offering a more visual and tactile measure of decomposition. This method could enhance citizen science efforts and raise awareness about soil health issues.
