https://www.positive.news/environment/citizen-scientists-worm-charming/
"Spotted your neighbours dancing a jig on their front lawn recently? Fear not –
their antics were all in the name of science, and in celebration of the humble
earthworm.
The Soil Association’s Worm Hunt is running throughout May, encouraging citizen
scientists to record the results of ‘worm charming’ – dancing in their gardens,
soaking the earth with water or using the vibrations to attract the wrigglers
to the surface.
The bizarre sport is enjoyed as far away as Texas, but for the Soil Association
it has its serious side: the charity will use the findings to create a worm map
of the UK, taking an abundance of worms as an indicator of soil health and
thriving biodiversity.
“It might sound wacky but dancing on the bare earth can help with science,”
explained the organisation’s head of worms, Alex Burton. “Worm charming is fun
and a little surreal, but scientists and farmers use worm counts to understand
soil health.”
Worms improve soil structure, help clean up contamination and boost
availability of nutrients, but studies suggest that populations have declined
by a third over the past 25 years.
Said Burton: “The data we get for the worm map will help us build a better
understanding of the health of soils in gardens, allotments and green spaces
across the UK. This will show where they need help to restore their numbers.”
The Soil Association is teaming up with the renowned Falmouth Worm Charming
Championships on the project. With prizes awarded for the most worms charmed
and the most creative charming methods, the team has built a place to
respectfully engage with the world under our feet, and will be collecting data
for the worm map.
Contest organiser and worm judge Georgia Gendall added: “Everyone has a part to
play in helping nature and it’s great to see people so excited about worms. We
want to use that energy to develop long-term success with the worm map.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
