Scientists from the University of Zurich and Agroscope, Switzerland’s federal agricultural research center, conducted a large-scale citizen science initiative called Proof by Underpants beginning in 2021 to assess soil biodiversity and raise public awareness about underground ecosystems. The project involved 1,000 volunteers who buried more than 2,000 pairs of cotton underwear and 12,000 tea bags at approximately 1,000 sites throughout Switzerland. After two months, participants excavated the materials, documented their condition through photographs, and submitted samples along with soil material to laboratories for analysis.
The study, published in Plants, People, Planet, revealed significant variations in how quickly the cotton decomposed depending on burial location. The decomposition rate functioned as a measurable proxy for biological activity in soil, with faster breakdown indicating more active microbial and organism populations. Private gardens exhibited the most rapid decomposition and contained the highest organic matter levels, supporting robust populations of earthworms, fungi, and bacteria. Lawns showed the lowest activity levels, while agricultural fields and meadows fell between these extremes.
Land use emerged as the dominant factor influencing soil decomposition rates, stronger than most other soil characteristics examined. Chemical properties, particularly nutrient concentrations, also significantly affected biological activity. Researchers identified several practices that can enhance soil life, including maintaining permanent soil coverage, incorporating compost, implementing diverse crop rotation systems, and reducing reliance on mineral fertilizers and pesticides.
While rapid decomposition generally correlated with fertile soils supportive of plant growth, researchers cautioned that maximum decomposition is not universally desirable. In forests and other near-natural environments, unusually high nutrient levels can signal ecological imbalance. Similarly, accelerated decomposition in residential gardens may indicate excessive fertilizer application. Temperature and moisture also substantially influence soil organism activity, with extreme cold or drought significantly reducing biological function.
The research team proposes developing an “underwear index” as a straightforward public tool for understanding soil health and biological processes. The project’s scale was made possible through citizen science participation, generating one of Switzerland’s most comprehensive national soil life datasets. Approximately 240 citizen scientists received co-author recognition on the publication, and volunteers received personalized soil analysis results and sustainability management recommendations.
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