The Soil your Undies Otago research programme aims to understand and measure the health of rural soils using simple biological indicators – earthworms, dung beetles, and cotton undies to build a map of soil health.
The programme is asking participants to bury cotton undies and record an earthworm count.
The project will also look at the dung beetle’s role as an ecosystem engineer.
The research programme will inform communities of their soils’ health and provide a basis for future sampling and strategies to improve soil and soil invertebrate communities.
School students in the North Otago and East Otago region will research soil types in their area.
They will bury 100% cotton underwear for a couple of months as a way of measuring soil health.
Researchers say the more threadbare the undies the more micro-organisms in the soil meaning the healthier the soil.
Eleanor Wright, one of the researchers leading the project, said it is about science extension and adoption.
“By using simple biological indicators such as earthworms, dung beetles and cotton undies participants can build a map of soil health,” Wright said.
Beef and Lamb New Zealand is a partner in the research programme which it said fits with its Catchment Community Programme.
One of Beef and Lamb’s top priorities is enhancing its environmental position to strengthen farmers’ reputation in NZ and globally.
“This research supports our strategy with understanding soil health fundamental to understanding our natural resource, catchments and businesses,” environmental capability manager Richard Parkes said.
“The research is a fun and interactive way to create a wider discussion while teaching people simple and effective ways of determining soil health,” Parkes said.
The project is scheduled to be complete in June next year.
Other partners in the project include the East Otago Catchment Group, North Otago Land Management Group (NOSLAM), EnviroSchools Otago, AgResearch, Otago University scientists, Dung Beetle Innovations, Otago Regional Council Eco fund and the Science Learning Hub.
