Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has launched a new tool to help sustainably manage soil as a critical natural resource which sustains lives and livelihoods.
Now live and available for use, the Australian National Soil Information System (ANSIS) brings together soil data from across Australia, connecting multiple data sources to provide access to nationally consistent soil data and information to equip farmers, policy makers and researchers to better manage, restore, and protect Australia’s soils.
“Soil is the backbone of our food security, and it is critical that we manage it effectively for climate change adaptation and economic and environmental prosperity to support national and global agrifood priorities,” ANSIS project lead at CSIRO Peter Wilson said.
“Until now, it’s been exceptionally difficult to find, access, integrate and compare soil data. This new system brings together all this information providing easy access to soil data and information that will underpin the effective management of soil.”
ANSIS will be a valuable tool across all sectors:
- for farmers and farm advisors, allowing them to compare the condition of their soil with other soils in their region, monitor how their soil has changed over time, and inform opportunities for change or improvement in land management practices;
- governments and industry bodies will be able to use ANSIS data and information to support the development of effective policies to ensure our soil is sustainably used and enhanced for future generations, and to inform policy decisions in areas such as drought resilience, climate adaptation, natural capital accounting and biodiversity conservation;
- ANSIS will enable researchers to better understand the way our soil works, its role in climate change adaptation and mitigation, and the impacts we have on this valuable natural resource.
ANSIS is supported by funding through the Australian Government National Soil Strategy (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry), in collaboration with CSIRO and partner organisations.
Access ANSIS here to find out more about your soil.
