The Agri-TechE showcase invited a number of speakers to tackle questions about soil health: what do the various micro-organisms and invertebrates do in our soils and how do they interact with plant roots? What measures can be taken to maintain biodiversity and thereby increase the resilience of farming systems above ground?
At the event, Carlos highlighted how ecoacoustics can play a pivotal role in regenerative agriculture practices. Regenerative agriculture focuses on restoring and enhancing the health of agricultural systems. By listening to the soil, farmers and researchers can monitor the impact of different farming practices on soil health and biodiversity.
Carlos explained how the acoustic data we collect can reveal the presence and activity levels of soil organisms, such as earthworms, which are crucial for nutrient cycling and soil structure. Changes in the acoustic environment can indicate shifts in soil health, providing an early warning system for issues such as soil erosion or loss of organic matter.
One approach outline in the Farmer’s Guardian piece is using sound data to utilise machine learning and develop “recognisers” for soil species, which could then be used in monitoring. Carlos states another way we can analyse soil sound is by recording a soil sample and giving it a score, where more sounds get a higher score and if it is very quiet, a lower score. This is what we call an acoustic index; an approach we are currently investigating to see whether we can look at the overall levels of sound generated within a soil sample and use that as a measure of soil health.
As the ecoacoustics project progresses, we look forward to sharing more findings and insights with the farming community and beyond. The positive reception at the Agri-TechE’s Digging Deep Showcase is a testament to the growing interest in sustainable and technology-driven approaches to agriculture.
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