The Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS): A Global Platform for Cloud-Connected Mobile Apps Supporting Soil-Specific Land Use and Management.

Precision agriculture for every farmer requires soil- and climate-specific information. Large farms are increasingly served by fee-for-service closed data systems that focus almost entirely on annual profit and/or yield optimization. Knowledge and information systems are required that (a) are accessible to all farmers, ranchers and pastoralists, including resource-poor farmers in the developing world and part-time farmers worldwide, and (b) address degradation resistance and resilience.  The objectives of this presentation are to provide an overview of the Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS), an open-source, open-data platform, and an introduction to currently available mobile apps. The system is designed to be modular, with individual apps and analytics connected to a specific location. The foundational app, LandInfo, uses imagery and embedded videos to help the user define slope, slope shape, soil texture by depth and other easily observed relatively static soil properties that can help identify the soil, such as vertical cracks. This information, together with the location, is automatically transmitted to the cloud the next time the phone is internet-connected. The information is used to select the best match soil profile, and predict relative potential productivity and degradation risk for different management systems. Future versions will connect the user to management information, allow them to upload descriptions of their own management system and yield, and compare and connect with other land managers with similar soil, climate and management objectives. Additional apps that will be briefly described include LandCover, for monitoring vegetation cover and structure, including crop residue cover. LandCover inputs are used to drive estimates of short-term soil erosion risk, and for remote sensing calibration and validation. The presentation will include an extensive list of current global partners, and provide information on the various ways in which individuals, and organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors can participate in the development  and application of the platform. It will conclude with a more general discussion about the potential for open-source, open-data systems to transform knowledge and information sharing globally among scientists and managers.