The document proposes a Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS) that uses local and scientific knowledge to provide information on land productivity and resilience. LandPKS would connect farmers with similar land types globally to share innovations. It would use mobile phones and the internet to give farmers and governments access to knowledge about optimal land use matching land type. LandPKS aims to sustainably increase production while piloting in Kenya and Namibia and expanding to other countries.

1. A Land-Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS)
Based on Local and Scientific Knowledge of
Land Productivity and Resilience
UNCCD 2d Scientific Conference
Bonn, Germany
9-11 April, 2013
Jeffrey E. Herrick , Kevin C. Urama, Jason Karl, John Boos, Mari-Vaughn V. Johnson, Keith D.
Shepherd, Jon Hempel, Brandon T. Bestelmeyer, Jonathan Davies, Jorge Larson Guerra, Chris
Kosnik, David W. Kimiti, Abraham Losinyen, Kit Muller, Lee Norfleet, Nicholas Ozor, Thomas
Reinsch, José Sarukhan K. and Larry T. West
And a growing number of partners and cooperators…

2. What is “Land Potential”
The potential of the land, based on
climate, soils and topography to:
o Support agricultural production, biodiversity
conservation and other ecosystem services
o Resist and recover from degradation
(resilience)

3. USA 1930’s “Dust Bowl” – result of cultivation of productive
perennial grasslands (high potential production but low
resilience)
Oklahoma Conservation Commission: Photograph by Arthur Rothstein. Courtesy of the Western History Collection, University of
Oklahoma Library from the Farm Security Administration Collection
US National Archives

4. 1,330,000,000*
TONS of soil saved
per year (40%
reduction), while
production continues
to increase.
Corn Yield (bu/acre)
200
100
0
1980 1990 2000 2010

5. How (in addition to plant breeding*)?
1. Increase sustainable production on existing
agricultural lands by intensifying production on land
with untapped potential (different practices are
sustainable on different types of land).
2. Promote innovation to increase untapped potential by
connecting farmers with similar land with each other
and with scientists and extension workers.
*Fertilizer use was relatively stable during this period after increasing
rapidly prior to 1980.

6. 1. Match land use
with its potential
Maize
Salud de Pastizales

Salud de Comunidades
Un Sistema para el Manejo de Pastizales
en el Contexto del Paisaje y la Aptitude
de Suelos para Actividades Pecuarias
Pasture

7. 1. Match land use
with its potential
Opportunity! Maize
Salud de Pastizales

Salud de Comunidades
Un Sistema para el Manejo de Pastizales
en el Contexto del Paisaje y la Aptitude
de Suelos para Actividades Pecuarias
Pasture

8. 2. Promote innovation to increase untapped potential.
Scientific
Local Innovation
and Knowledge
Sharing

10. Sharing Knowledge Around the
Region, Country and Globe

11. Similar soils and climate allow global sharing of
innovations (example: shallow soil over calcium
carbonate “pan” in the US)

12. Similar soil (Kenya)

13. Similar soil (Namibia)
Similar soils -
Namibia

14. Land-Potential Knowledge System
Use internet and mobile phones to:
• Globalize access to knowledge and information
about land potential for governments and
farmers
• Identify the knowledge and information
relevant to each type of land/soil
• Connect farmers with similar types of land and
challenges with each other

15. Knowledge Engine
(Analytics)
supported by global
databases & models 4
2
3
1
+? +!

16. CONNECTING
Land-Potential* SUPPORTING
Farmers and Farmers and
Knowledge Pastoralists Pastoralists with Each Other
based on Common Land
System Potential & Challenges
(LandPKS) Global Local Global Scien.
Knowledge
TARGETING
Crop
INFORMING Insurance, Destocki
Land Use Planning Land- ng, Restoration,
and Potential Other Land Use
Land Tenure Knowledge Management
Programs System Subsidy/Incentive
(Government) Programs
Geospatial (Government, NGO,
Information ODA)
SUPPORTING
Extension
(Government, NGO,
ODA, Consultants)
Contact: Jeff Herrick (USDA) jherrick@nmsu.edu

17. Next Steps
• Meet with stakeholders, including key content
partners, governments and multi-lateral
organizations in pilot countries (Nov 2012 – August
2013)
• Develop basic knowledge system & apps (2013)
• Pilot basic system in parts of Kenya and Namibia*
(2014)
• Develop and enhanced knowledge system & apps
(2014-2018)
• Work with partners to develop strategies to expand
to other countries (today - ???)
*selected because they include a broad range of biophysical conditions (soils and
climate), large areas with different types of land use change, diversity of land
ownership systems (communal, private and public), and very different levels of
local knowledge, and management objectives

18. LandPKS Vision
• A global, open source Land-Potential Knowledge System that is
owned, supported and expanded by stakeholders
• Knowledge-based land management that sustainably increases
agricultural production and other ecosystem services
Dankeschön
ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) “Link globally and
谢谢 (Xièxiè)
Merci beaucoup
Sync locally”
Asante sana -- Caroline Wagner
Thank you @ ATPS 2012
Muchas gracias Conference
(Shukran)
спасибо(Spasiba)
감사합니다 (Kamsamnida)
Баярлалаа (Bayarlalaa)
Website under development: www.landpotential.org
Contact - Jeff Herrick – jherrick@nmsu.edu