Spade test
Twice a year we assess soil structure with the spade test, across a majority of the more than 1,000 strips. A five-point scale forms the core of the assessment — analysed with a hierarchical Bayesian model.
Impact
Measuring and documenting impact
We measure our impact not only against environmental goals but also against economic viability. And we look for methods that show whether biodiversity and a functioning soil ecosystem are genuinely emerging on our fields.
For much of what we want to know, there are no established measurement methods yet. So we try different approaches and take part in research projects — from the classic spade test through DNA-based methods to economic assessment.
eDNA soil analysis
Over 1,000 species of fungi, bacteria and soil animals, made visible through their DNA — six findings from the 2024 soil samples.
eDNA insect sampling
We provide our Adlisberg site for WildinSync, the long-term monitoring run by the ETH research group of Prof. Loïc Pellissier. ETH carries out the data collection; we are mainly interested in how insect life evolves since we took over the site in 2024.
Bird observations
Breeding-bird surveys in 2025 at Eichhof and Adlisberg, following the national breeding-bird monitoring method — with profiles, filters and live data.
Economic impact
We compare our costs against data from gross-margin calculators. First economic analyses of mosaic farming are in progress.
In development