LandPKS

The LandPKS app helps users make more sustainable land management decisions by identifying their soil based on location, and improving identification accuracy with simple app-guided inputs in the LandInfo module. A map interface allows users to explore soils anywhere in the US (NRCS in cooperation with UC Davis) and the world (FAO).

The app includes three additional input modules: LandManagement for planning and documenting management activities, and LandCover and SoilHealth for monitoring changes in vegetation and soil health.

LandPKS provides free cloud storage and sharing, which means that you can access your data from any computer from the Data Portal at http://portal.landpotential.org. A new Data Privacy function allows you to decide whether or not share data publicly. The LandPKS app does not require a data connection to be used, and users can upload their data when they next have connectivity.

LandInfo makes site and soil characterization and identification fast and easy! The LandPKS app walks the user through how to hand texture their soil, as well as document other important site characteristics including soil color. Outputs include predicted soil water holding capacity and infiltration capacity (LandInfo), enhanced soil identification (SoilID), and Land Capability Classification.

LandManagement provides a quick, easy option for planning and recording management activities and precipitation through a calendar interface.

LandCover is a simple module for rapidly collecting and recording vegetation cover using a 1 meter or yard stick. The LandCover module walks a user through collecting vegetation data using a point-intercept method at each of 5 point at 20 locations in each ¼ hectare (3/5 acre) plot. Cover results are automatically calculated on the phone and delivered to users in a variety of graphs, including cover trends over time.

SoilHealth includes a number of simple observational indicators, as well as fields for recording soil carbon, organic matter, pH and electrical conductivity measurements. The initial version of SoilHealth will be expanded in the coming months.

Learn more about the LandPKS app on the LandPotential.org website. Training resources, including guides and online trainings, are also available on the website. LandPKS app development is led by the USDA-ARS in collaboration with CU Boulder and NMSU with support from USAID, BLM and NRCS, FFAR and contributions from a large number of US and global cooperators.