LandPKS in Use

Community Scientists

LandPKS offers a suite of tools for community scientists. Identify soils, characterize your specific site, and determine how much water your soil will hold. Plan and record gardening activities. Monitor soil health with simple field observations. Crowdsource management information and access global data.

A Simple Tool for Community Scientists

With the LandPKS app, you can identify your soil and (in rangelands) your ecological site based on location and your own inputs. Collect BLM-AIM and NRCS-NRI compatible vegetation cover and composition indicators. Monitor soil health with simple field observations. Keep data private or share with others on the Data Portal. For instructions on getting started with LandPKS, download the user guide below.

Download User Guide

Benefits

Soil and Ecological Site Identification

Identify your soil and site characteristics
Record slope, texture, and color for more accurate soil ID
Determine your ecological site and access information about potential vegetation and restoration options through the Ecosystems Dynamics Interpretive Tool (EDIT) (US only)
Access estimates of the infiltration rate and water holding capacity of the soil at your site and view how these change with increased soil organic matter
Access climate data at your site including temperature, precipitation, and growing degree days

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Collect BLM-AIM/NRCS-NRI-compatible Rangeland Indicators

Monitor cover, composition, and height in under 20 minutes using a yardstick
View calculated and graphed indicators

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Monitor Soil Health

Document field observations aligned with the NRCS In-Field Cropland Assessment protocol and soil indicators included in “Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health”
Store lab data with your field observations for easy reference

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Discover Potential Wildlife Species in Your Area (North America only)

View a selection of species that may occur near your location
Compare species’ habitat with your data

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LandPKS Learning

Knowledge Hub

Find tutorials, videos, and helpful guides for using LandPKS. Learn more about the methods used in the app. Access student and teacher resources. Access helpful resources for managing your land.

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LandPKS Modules & Functions

Descriptions and background information for each of the LandPKS modules.

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Agricultural extension workers in Africa

Case Studies

Examples of how LandPKS is being used across the globe.

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Publications

Articles, books, and reports on research supporting LandPKS development and implementation.

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From Our Blog

News, updates, and deep-dives into the LandPKS platform and resources for sustainable land management.

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SoilID redesign provides a powerful key to unlock soil information, including SoilGrids access

Since 2019, soilID, which links LandPKS users to existing soil maps of their location, has been at the core of LandPKS, and we just released a new version, available now.

“Maybe I’ll finally get a smartphone now!”

LandPKS holds a training event in San Luis, Colorado, to introduce local land managers to using LandPKS to access soil and ecological site information that can support management decisions.

Teaching Land Potential in the San Joaquin Valley

As part of their Earth Academy program, the Sequoia Riverlands Trust teaches California high schoolers rangeland science with LandPKS.

Mobile App

Download LandPKS today for free and discover the value and potential of your land. Use this information to plan and track management actions, and to monitor soil health and vegetation indicators over time.

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