Buried underwear shows land use is key to soil health
Soil is the foundation of our food supply. It stores water, carbon and nutrients and is home to a large share of the world's biodiversity. More than half of global biodiversity is estimated to live below ground. Yet biodiversity, and with it soil health, is declining worldwide, with consequences for agriculture, food security and the functioning of entire ecosystems.
In a soil health study conducted by researchers from the University of Zurich and Agroscope, citizen scientists in Switzerland buried cotton underwear and tea bags at various locations to gather data on soil activity. After two months, the items were retrieved, photographed, and analyzed alongside soil samples. The findings, published in the journal Plants, People, Planet, revealed that soil management practices significantly impact soil life and quality.
Decomposition rates of the underwear varied greatly depending on land use—private gardens exhibited the highest activity and organic matter, while lawns showed the least. Agricultural fields and meadows fell in between. The study emphasizes that maintaining continuous soil cover, adding compost, diversifying crops, and limiting synthetic inputs can promote soil life.
Land use emerged as the most influential factor in decomposition rates, surpassing many measured soil properties. High decomposition often correlates with nutrient-rich soils, beneficial for agriculture but potentially problematic in natural habitats. The project showcases the power of citizen science in gathering extensive, localized soil data, involving over 240 volunteers from across Switzerland.
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