Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ECHO (Engaging Citizens in soil science: the road to Healthier sOils)
Reporting period: 2023-06-01 to 2024-11-30
The overall aim of ECHO is to engage EU citizens in soil health increasing their knowledge, by generating new data on the health status of EU soils to complement existing soil mapping and soil monitoring in EU Member States, and awareness on the ecological and societal importance of soils. ECHO is based on 3 main principles: 1) to engage citizens motivating them to protect and restore soils; 2) to empower citizens by providing knowledge and an active role in data collection; 3) to enable citizens to directly participate in decision-making on soil issues. ECHO will achieve this through co-creation with target societal groups as a cornerstone of delivering a step change in increased soil literacy in society across Member States. ECHO will develop tailor-made citizen science initiatives across EU Member States taking into account different land-uses, soil types and biogeographical regions as well as stakeholder needs, overcoming the recognised challenges related to age, culture, background and language (28 initiatives with 16500 sites assessed). Our ambition is to actively involve and engage citizens building the capacities and knowledge to promote soil stewardship across EU and foster social change through trust and improved understanding of soil. ECHO will create ECHOREPO, a long-term open access repository, fed with citizen science data to be exploited not only by scientists but also by the general public and endusers. This will leverage and provide added-value to existing data and other relevant soil monitoring initiatives. ECHO´s consortium consists of 16 participants with 9 leading universities and research centres, 5 SMEs, and 2 Foundations. The participants from small companies and foundations, as business and civil society representatives, are complementary to the soil and social sciences experts of academic partners and crucial to achieve the ambitious goals of ECHO.
From a technical and scientific perspective, our work in the first reporting period focused on several key areas, each contributing to the advancement of citizen science in soil monitoring.
- Citizen Science and Soil Monitoring: We conducted a comprehensive study on the current state of citizen science applied to soil health, establishing a baseline of existing knowledge and practices. This was supported by an assessment framework for citizen science methods in soil monitoring, along with a quality assessment framework for citizen-generated soil data. A monitoring and evaluation framework was also developed to ensure consistent assessment of outcomes.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Ethics: Engaging with communities was a priority, with efforts focused on identifying and involving key stakeholders and target groups in the use of citizen science for soil health. This included mapping relevant communities and ensuring active participation. Ethical considerations were also carefully addressed to uphold best practices in citizen science initiatives.
- Data Management and Training: A structured data management plan was developed to ensure efficient handling and organisation of information. In addition, training materials on soil health assessment were created to enhance knowledge-sharing and capacity-building among participants.
- Methodology Development: Various methodologies were designed to support citizen science approaches to soil health assessment. This included a curated list of effective methods, a toolbox of practical techniques, and a detailed handbook outlining agreed standards for soil health evaluation.
- Project Participation: Citizen were actively involved throughout the project, contributing to community engagement. Their participation played a crucial role in demonstrating the practical application of citizen science in soil health monitoring.
These efforts have collectively strengthened the scientific and technical foundations of citizen science in soil health, supporting better monitoring, management, and community involvement.
- Citizen Science and Soil Monitoring: We conducted a comprehensive study on the current state of citizen science applied to soil health, establishing a baseline of existing knowledge and practices. This was supported by an assessment framework for citizen science methods in soil monitoring, along with a quality assessment framework for citizen-generated soil data. A monitoring and evaluation framework was also developed to ensure consistent assessment of outcomes.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Ethics: Engaging with communities was a priority, with efforts focused on identifying and involving key stakeholders and target groups in the use of citizen science for soil health. This included mapping relevant communities and ensuring active participation. Ethical considerations were also carefully addressed to uphold best practices in citizen science initiatives.
- Data Management and Training: A structured data management plan was developed to ensure efficient handling and organisation of information. In addition, training materials on soil health assessment were created to enhance knowledge-sharing and capacity-building among participants.
- Methodology Development: Various methodologies were designed to support citizen science approaches to soil health assessment. This included a curated list of effective methods, a toolbox of practical techniques, and a detailed handbook outlining agreed standards for soil health evaluation.
- Project Participation: Citizen were actively involved throughout the project, contributing to community engagement. Their participation played a crucial role in demonstrating the practical application of citizen science in soil health monitoring.
These efforts have collectively strengthened the scientific and technical foundations of citizen science in soil health, supporting better monitoring, management, and community involvement.
In this section, we highlight the results achieved through the involvement of the Ambassadors of the ECHO project.
The involvement of the ECHO Ambassadors led to several notable outcomes:
- Increased Public Engagement: The ambassadors extended the reach of the project by mobilising and engaging additional citizens who might not have been directly involved through offcial project channels.
- Enhanced Community Involvement: Their activities included organising independent events, workshops, and discussions, which strengthened communities and promoted active participation in soil health monitoring.
- Greater Awareness and Education and Soil Literacy: By acting at local level, the ambassadors started spreading the word about ECHO and the importance of soil health, contributing to a more informed public and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.
- Provided Clear Training Material: Considering 8 soil health indicators outlined in the Mission Soil Implementation Plan we developed methods to apply in the field for correct soil sampling.
The involvement of the ECHO Ambassadors led to several notable outcomes:
- Increased Public Engagement: The ambassadors extended the reach of the project by mobilising and engaging additional citizens who might not have been directly involved through offcial project channels.
- Enhanced Community Involvement: Their activities included organising independent events, workshops, and discussions, which strengthened communities and promoted active participation in soil health monitoring.
- Greater Awareness and Education and Soil Literacy: By acting at local level, the ambassadors started spreading the word about ECHO and the importance of soil health, contributing to a more informed public and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.
- Provided Clear Training Material: Considering 8 soil health indicators outlined in the Mission Soil Implementation Plan we developed methods to apply in the field for correct soil sampling.