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Underwear burial study reveals Swiss soil health insights

Researchers in Switzerland have concluded a unique citizen science project that used buried cotton underwear to measure soil microbial activity. The study, titled Proof by Underpants, involved 1,000 volunteers who buried more than 2,000 pairs of underpants and 12,000 tea bags across nearly 1,000 different sites. Findings published in the journal Plants, People, Planet indicate that decomposition rates varied significantly depending on land use. Private gardens showed the fastest rates of decay, while lawns experienced the slowest decomposition. Agricultural fields and meadows fell in the middle of these results, demonstrating how different management styles impact biological activity. Co-study leader Marcel van der Heijden noted that biologically active soil is essential for nutrient cycling and fertility. By using an accessible and engaging method, the project provided participants with feedback on sustainable soil management while gaining a comprehensive view of national soil quality. The researchers suggest the Underpants Index could serve as a widespread tool for raising public awareness about soil health.

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The essential points

  1. 01A Swiss study used 2,000 pairs of buried cotton underwear to assess microbial activity across 1,000 sites.
  2. 02Results published in Plants, People, Planet show that private gardens have the highest soil decomposition rates.
  3. 03Lawns were found to have the slowest decomposition, while agricultural fields and meadows showed moderate activity.
  4. 04The project aimed to provide an engaging, simple tool for citizens to monitor and improve soil fertility.
The full brief

Researchers in Switzerland have concluded a unique citizen science project that used buried cotton underwear to measure soil microbial activity. The study, titled Proof by Underpants, involved 1,000 volunteers who buried more than 2,000 pairs of underpants and 12,000 tea bags across nearly 1,000 different sites.

Findings published in the journal Plants, People, Planet indicate that decomposition rates varied significantly depending on land use. Private gardens showed the fastest rates of decay, while lawns experienced the slowest decomposition. Agricultural fields and meadows fell in the middle of these results, demonstrating how different management styles impact biological activity.

Co-study leader Marcel van der Heijden noted that biologically active soil is essential for nutrient cycling and fertility. By using an accessible and engaging method, the project provided participants with feedback on sustainable soil management while gaining a comprehensive view of national soil quality. The researchers suggest the Underpants Index could serve as a widespread tool for raising public awareness about soil health.