FutureLearn

Citizen Science: From Soil to Sky (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Dundee, Grow Observatory,
Citizen Science: From Soil to Sky (FutureLearn)

Learn how to understand your soil and explore global environmental soil issues by becoming a citizen scientist. Where can you find all sorts of useful and important information about your environment? You might be surprised to know it’s beneath your feet, in the soil. On this course you will discover interesting things about your own soil and become part of the new GROW Citizen Observatory European-wide community.

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You will collaborate with other growers and scientists to discover the impact global soil practices have on major issues like the environment and food growing.
Now is the time to make a difference, join us, improve your soil and become a citizen scientist.

What topics will you cover?

  • Citizen Science and Fieldwork
  • Soils, Growing Sites and Plant Health
  • Climate, Temperature and Moisture
  • Landscape Representivity and Cover
  • Soil Components
  • Global Challenges for Soil
  • Regenerative Techniques
  • Landscape Ecosystems
  • The GROW Observatory app

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Describe the type of soil you have, including details such as soil texture and stone content
  • Explore how soil health influences plant growth and the environment
  • Compare different approaches to growing food, and how these impact soil health and plant productivity
  • Apply knowledge of your own growing space to how it connects to the wider landscape and global soil trends
  • Describe key characteristics of your growing site, such as canopy cover and land cover
  • Explore how you can become a citizen scientist to monitor and improve soil health
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