In this session, we documented the variety of plants and animals of a specific section of the farm that has been undergoing ecosystem regeneration. Working in the Fig Orchard, we conducted a one year follow up to the initial biodiversity measurement we created in April 2024. Measuring biodiversity is a key part of the monitoring and evaluation plan we developed to understand the impact of our regenerative practices and implemented techniques.

This session was facilitated by Dr. Elodie da Silva, the Chief Scientist at Mud Valley Institute, and leader of our Soil Lab.

What is a BioBlitz?

BioBlitzes are rapid, focused efforts to document the biodiversity of a specific area, involving scientists and the public working together to identify and record as many species of plants and animals as possible within a short period. This helps us create a snapshot of the biodiversity of a location, providing valuable data for conservation, ecosystem management, and scientific research.

What did we we do?

We used the iNaturalist mobile app to collect our data, identify what we saw, and save our work.

Working in groups, we observed and registered the fauna and flora diversity in 2 points: a reference site where we have not intervened (the “control” site) and the fig orchard, our “test” area where the Hügelkultur method was implemented in order to improve soil fertility and water retention. 

Why did we do it?

This session helped us understand if the ecosystem regeneration work taking place in the fig orchard has resulted in a greater variety of animals coming to the area. Our hypothesis was that regenerating this area will have led to improved soil health and water retention, which in turn should result in more types of fauna being attracted to and living there. 

The ECHO program is a citizen science project focusing on European soil health. Citizen scientists from 9 countries, including Portugal, will work directly with ECHO Ambassadors such as Mud Valley Institute to learn about soil health and participate in collecting data that will then be analyzed and loaded into an open-source database.

Participants in the program receive their own soil sampling kit to take home and collect samples from their own site. They will use a mobile app to receive immediate feedback on the soil collected. Mud Valley Institute then collects the sample and sends it away for analysis, where the results will added to an open access data repository.

What’s in the Citizen Science Toolkit?

This all-inclusive kit will help contribute to valuable environmental research. Inside, participants will find: clear and detailed instructions to walk them through each step of the citizen science journey, a shovel for soil sampling, a variety of containers to store and analyze the soil samples, pH evaluation strips, and sterile gloves for better sample handling. They receive it for free when they participate in this program.

What did we do?

We started this session with an overview of soil health and the ECHO program. Then Dr. Elodie da Silva, Chief Scientist at Mud Valley Institute, took the participants into the field at Quinta Vale da Lama to teach them how to use the sampling kit and conduct soil health tests. 

Why did we do it?

This large-scale project will engage the public in protecting and restoring soils by building their skills and enhancing their knowledge of soils. They will actively contribute to the project’s data collection, promote soil stewardship, and foster behavioral change across the EU.

The data collected will be available for use not only by scientists, but also by the general public, policy makers, farmers, landowners and other end-users, providing added value to existing data and other relevant soil monitoring initiatives. This will provide valuable information about the state of soil health in both Portugal and across EU Member States, helping support informed decisions about land use and conservation.

Click here to get more information about the ECHO program and its toolkit for citizen scientists.