WHAT: The Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS): mobile apps and cloud computing for supporting land management decisions, inventory, monitoring and evaluation
WHO: Jeff Herrick, soil scientist, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (Las Cruces, New Mexico)
WHERE: U.S. Forest Service International Programs (near McPherson Square Metro)
The Land-Potential Knowledge System and two new mobile applications (LandInfo and LandCover) were recently launched in Kenya, Namibia and Ethiopia to enhance rangeland management and monitoring. The applications can be used together or alone for vegetation inventory, impact evaluation design (selection of paired controls where randomization is not possible), and land cover monitoring using Android smart devices and a central cloud storage system. Future versions will allow users to access and share management information specific to their type of land and climate, and to collect other monitoring data, including crop production and livestock condition. The session will include a hands-on demonstration with Android phones available for use*.*iPhone and Windows version available early 2016.
For the past year,U.S.Forest Service, International Programs has been consulting closely with Jeff Herrick to adapt LandPKS to Ethiopian pastoral areas. The issue is important because it integrates innovative technology into field monitoring practices, ultimately allowing land managers to obtain comprehensive access to baseline data on rangelands in East Africa that will inform grazing management decisions and land use allocation. U.S.Forest Service scientists have started utilizing the smart phone application in Ethiopia and will be involved in updates to the system in 2016. We will also provide a grant to New Mexico State for further LandPKS developments this year.
Please R.S.V.P. to Pari Henkai 202-644-4587 or phenkai@fs.fed.us
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For more information on US Forest Service International Programs, please visithttp://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/international-programs