About
LandPKS is a free, science-driven land management platform built by the USDA-ARS Range Management Research Unit at the Jornada Experimental Range. It combines a field-ready mobile app with a web-based data portal to help users collect, store, and interpret soil, vegetation, and land management data anywhere in the world — even without internet connectivity. At its core, LandPKS features an AI-powered Soil ID algorithm that accurately identifies soil types and determines land potential and use value. Users can monitor soil health through visual and laboratory indicators, track vegetation cover and composition, and log management activities through a simple calendar-based planner. A companion Habitat Hub provides wildlife and habitat factsheets for US-based users. The platform serves a wide range of audiences: rangeland managers, small-scale farmers, land-use planners, agricultural extension agents, researchers, community scientists, urban gardeners, teachers and students, and project evaluators. The data portal allows users to access, edit, and export their collected field data from a desktop browser. In partnership with Terraso, LandPKS is actively expanding its suite of apps to include global and US-specific Soil ID tools and enhanced land monitoring capabilities. The Learning Center provides tutorials, videos, and educational resources to help users of all skill levels get started and deepen their understanding of land and soil science.
Key Features
- AI-Powered Soil ID: Uses a machine learning algorithm to accurately identify soil types in the field and connect users to existing soil maps and SoilGrids data.
- Soil & Land Health Monitoring: Track visual and laboratory soil health indicators, calculate Land Capability Class (LCC) and Available Water Capacity (AWC), and monitor trends over time.
- Vegetation Monitoring: Record and track vegetation cover, composition, and height, plus access habitat and wildlife information for US locations.
- Offline Field Data Collection: Collect soil and land data anywhere in the world without an internet connection; sync to the web data portal when back online.
- Web Data Portal: Access, edit, visualize, and export all field-collected data from a desktop browser for reporting, analysis, and planning.
Use Cases
- A rangeland manager uses LandPKS to monitor soil health and vegetation cover across their grazing land, logging management activities in the calendar tool to track the impact of rotational grazing.
- A university researcher collects standardized soil data from multiple field sites using the offline-capable app, then exports the dataset from the data portal for publication-ready analysis.
- An agricultural extension agent trains smallholder farmers to use the Soil ID feature to understand their soil types and land capability, helping them choose appropriate crops and management practices.
- A high school teacher incorporates LandPKS into an environmental science curriculum, having students collect and compare soil data from different areas of the school grounds.
- A community conservation group uses LandPKS to monitor habitat quality and vegetation recovery in a restored prairie, sharing data with project evaluators through the web portal.
Pros
- Completely Free: The app and data portal are free to use with no subscription fees, making it accessible to individuals, researchers, and organizations of all sizes.
- Works Offline & Worldwide: Designed for remote field use, the app functions without internet connectivity and supports land assessment in any location globally.
- Science-Backed & USDA-Developed: Built by USDA-ARS researchers, the platform uses peer-reviewed methods and validated algorithms, ensuring reliable, credible results.
- Broad User Base: Serves diverse audiences from farmers and ranchers to teachers and community scientists, with targeted learning resources for each group.
Cons
- Habitat Data Limited to the US: The Habitat Hub and wildlife factsheets are only available for users in the United States, limiting utility for international users in this area.
- Legacy App in Transition: Some features of the original LandPKS app are being rebuilt as separate tools in partnership with Terraso, which may cause temporary gaps in functionality.
- Limited Advanced Analytics: The platform focuses on field data collection and basic monitoring; users needing advanced statistical analysis may need to export data to external tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LandPKS free to use?
Yes, LandPKS is completely free to download and use, including the mobile app and the web-based data portal.
Does LandPKS work without internet access?
Yes, the LandPKS mobile app is designed for offline use in the field. Data collected offline can be synced to the data portal once you have an internet connection.
What is the Soil ID algorithm?
The Soil ID algorithm is an AI-powered feature that identifies soil types based on field observations and location data, linking users to existing soil maps and global SoilGrids data.
Who is LandPKS designed for?
LandPKS serves rangeland managers, small-scale farmers, land-use planners, agricultural extension agents, researchers, community scientists, urban gardeners, teachers, students, and project evaluators.
What is the relationship between LandPKS and Terraso?
LandPKS has partnered with Terraso to develop a new and improved suite of apps, including US Soil ID, global Soil ID, and enhanced land monitoring tools, building on the LandPKS foundation.
