Scientists enlisted the help of more than 1,000 volunteers across Switzerland to bury cotton underwear and measure how quickly it decomposed, providing new insights into the lively, yet often overlooked, world beneath our feet.
- Cotton underwear decomposes faster in biologically active soils.
- Gardens have the healthiest soils; lawns show the lowest microbial activity.
- Land use shapes soil quality more than many soil chemical properties.
What happened
In a unique and large-scale citizen science effort, researchers from the University of Zurich and Agroscope invited over 1,000 volunteers to bury more than 2,000 pairs of cotton underwear at approximately 1,000 sites across Switzerland. The purpose was to gauge soil biological activity by observing how quickly the cotton fabric broke down after two months underground. Participants also buried tea bags to collect complementary data, later submitting photographs and soil samples for laboratory analysis.
The findings showed marked differences in decomposition rates linked to the type of land use. Private gardens recorded the fastest breakdown of cotton, indicating high levels of soil organism activity, while lawns had the slowest. Soils from agricultural fields and meadows revealed intermediate levels. The results confirm that soil biodiversity and health are strongly influenced by how land is managed.
Why it feels good
The project’s simple yet clever approach helps bring awareness to the vital but hidden world of soil organisms that support many essential services, including food production and carbon storage. It highlights the connection between everyday activities, like gardening and farming, and the health of soils beneath us. Knowing that healthy soils teem with life—and that their condition directly benefits plants and ecosystems—provides an encouraging reason to promote sustainable soil care.
Moreover, this research underscores the power of community involvement in scientific discovery. Engaging thousands of volunteers across diverse environments created a detailed picture of Swiss soil health that would have been difficult to achieve otherwise. It also serves as a fun and relatable way for people to participate in environmental science while learning about ecological stewardship.
What to enjoy or watch next
Scientists suggest the idea of an "underwear index"—a straightforward tool to help the public measure and understand soil biological activity and fertility. This could be an engaging way to support local soil health monitoring and promote practices that enhance biodiversity, such as composting, diverse crop rotations, and minimizing synthetic chemicals.
To dive deeper into soil wellbeing, keep an eye on upcoming studies exploring soil management across various climates and ecosystems. For enthusiasts, trying your own simple soil tests at home—like burying cotton or natural fabric—can be a rewarding way to connect with nature and contribute to understanding the underground world that sustains us all.