Empowering Communities: The Future of Urban Soil Science Through Citizen Science

Urban soils are pivotal to environmental health and urban ecosystems. They underpin green spaces, assist in pollution filtration, support biodiversity, and play a key role in water management. These functions are vital for sustainable urban development and the well-being of city residents. However, urban soil science faces significant challenges: a lack of comprehensive data, limited public awareness of soil's ecological roles, and difficulties in data collection within diverse, densely built urban environments. This presentation will demonstrate how citizen science initiatives can bridge these gaps in urban soil research. By leveraging community efforts, extensive soil data can be gathered across various urban landscapes. The goal is to engage and educate communities in soil data collection and monitoring, thereby enhancing public understanding and involvement in urban soil health. A multi-faceted approach, including interactive workshops, user-friendly mobile applications, and online resources, will be employed to educate and train citizens in soil science basics and data collection techniques. These strategies aim to simplify complex soil science concepts into engaging, easily understandable content, complemented by hands-on training in using soil testing kits and data recording tools. The integration of citizen science in urban soil research offers dual benefits: advancing soil science through expanded data collection and analysis, and enhancing public engagement in scientific endeavors. Citizen involvement in soil data collection increases the quantity and quality of soil data, covering a wider range of urban areas and incorporating diverse observations and localized knowledge from community members. The presentation will introduce the "Urban Soil Guide: Field and Lab Manual," a newly released comprehensive resource designed for both educational and general use. This manual provides practical guidance for understanding, testing, and managing urban soils, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. Additionally, the role of social media in enhancing citizen science projects on urban soil research will be discussed. This includes strategies for community building, experience sharing, and the best platforms for data visualization and sharing results.