From Fields to Data Infrastructures: Citizen Science for Soil Monitoring in the Western Balkans

Jelena Jović; Dušanka Vujanović; Andrijana Andrić; Kristina Kalkan; Ljiljana Šašić Zorić; Tijana Barošević; Aleksandar Ivezić; Nataša Ljubičić; Luka Isakov; Branimir Bajac; Sanja Brdar

doi:10.58898/sij.v4i2.45-53

Authors

Jelena Jović University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute – Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Novi Sad, Serbia
Dušanka Vujanović University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute – Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Novi Sad, Serbia
Andrijana Andrić University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute – Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Novi Sad, Serbia
Kristina Kalkan University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute – Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Novi Sad, Serbia
Ljiljana Šašić Zorić University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute – Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Novi Sad, Serbia
Tijana Barošević University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute – Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Novi Sad, Serbia
Aleksandar Ivezić University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute – Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Novi Sad, Serbia
Nataša Ljubičić University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute – Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Novi Sad, Serbia
Luka Isakov University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute – Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Novi Sad, Serbia
Branimir Bajac University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute – Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Novi Sad, Serbia
Sanja Brdar University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute – Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Novi Sad, Serbia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58898/sij.v4i2.45-53

Keywords:

citizen science, soil health, knowledge co-production, environmental monitoring, participatory learning, technology-mediated engagement

Abstract

Reliable soil information systems remain underdeveloped across the Western Balkans, limiting the capacity of institutions to monitor environmental change, ensure sustainable land management, and align with EU legislation. This article presents a sociotechnical case study of the Soil Health Guards initiative in Serbia, the country’s first citizen-science initiative dedicated to soil health assessment. Here, we analyze the design, implementation and governance implications of an integrated citizen-science framework that supports farmers, youth, and local communities in generating standardized soil-health data. Participants collected standardized measurements of ten biological, chemical, and physical soil indicators using structured toolkits, educational manuals, and digital communication channels, supported by iterative workshops and expert validation. Of 135 registered participants, 67 actively contributed at least one soil assessment, with retention decreasing from 54% to 40% over the project duration. Farmers sampled soils across a range of land-use types and soil classes, while youth conducted assessments in schoolyards, home gardens, and urban green spaces, with group activities involving over 150 children and adolescents. Participants valued structured guidance, with the instructional manual cited as the most useful resource. The project demonstrates that even low-level-technology-mediated citizen science can facilitate knowledge co-production, environmental literacy, and community stewardship, while generating reliable, decision-ready soil data compatible with institutional monitoring frameworks. By integrating hands-on learning, digital tools, and collaborative engagement, the initiative highlights the potential of citizen science to complement formal soil monitoring, support sustainable land management, and foster inclusive participation in environmental governance.

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