The Role of Citizen Science in Meeting SDG Targets around Soil Health

Josephine S. Head, Martha E. Crockatt, Zahra Didarali, Mary-Jane Woodward and Bridget A. Emmett
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Josephine S. Head: Earthwatch Institute (Europe), Oxford OX2 7DE, UK
Martha E. Crockatt: Earthwatch Institute (Europe), Oxford OX2 7DE, UK
Zahra Didarali: School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
Mary-Jane Woodward: Departments of Plant Sciences and Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK
Bridget A. Emmett: UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environmental Centre Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 24, 1-20

Abstract: Healthy soils are vital for sustainable development, yet consistent soil monitoring is scarce, and soils are poorly represented in United Nations Sustainable Development Goals targets and indicators. There is a clear need for specific ambitions on soil health, accompanying metrics, and cost-effective monitoring methodologies. In this paper, we review citizen science methods and platforms which could compliment structured soil monitoring programmes and contribute to filling this knowledge gap. We focussed on soil structure, organic carbon, biodiversity, nutrients, and vegetation cover. Each method was classified as red, amber, or green (RAG) in terms of time requirements, cost, and data reliability. Toolkits were assessed in terms of cost and requirement for specialist kit. We found 32 methods across the five indicators. Three soil monitoring methods scored green on all criteria, and 20 (63%) scored green on two criteria. We found 13 toolkits appropriate for citizen science monitoring of soil health. Three of them are free, easy to use, and do not require specialist equipment. Our review revealed multiple citizen science methods and toolkits for each of the five soil health indicators. This should pave the way towards a cost-effective, joined-up approach on soil health, informing national and international policy and supporting the move towards farmer-led, data-driven decision-making.

Keywords: soil health; citizen science; sustainable development goals; participatory monitoring; soil monitoring (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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