1,000 Citizen Scientists in 25 Countries Buried Underwear to Test Soil Health

A citizen science project spanning 25 countries used buried cotton underpants as a low-cost method to measure soil health. The rate at which the fabric decomposed indicated the level of biological activity in the soil. Researchers found that private gardens had the highest decomposition rates, suggesting more active and healthier soil. The initiative made soil testing accessible to ordinary people without specialized equipment. The project drew attention to the vital but often overlooked role of living organisms in soil ecosystems.