The challenge
The need for consistent and accessible data
Our soils are a valuable national asset, and their sustainable management is vital for Australia's resilient, climate smart future.
To restore and manage our soils for the benefit of all, we need soil data and information that is reliable, relevant, accessible and useful.
Our response
A national approach to soil data and information
As part of the Australian Government’s National Soils Strategy and National Soil Action Plan, CSIRO leads a $21 million dollar investment in the re-development of Australia’s national soil information infrastructure.
Now operational, the Australian National Soil Information System (ANSIS) provides access to standardised soil data and information from data providers across Australia.
ANSIS provides nationally consistent soil data to inform decision making processes and support soil health and food security in a climate smart future, through sustainable management of our soil. ANSIS is the new place to find, view and access reliable and relevant soil data and information.
ANSIS has a range of tools, which provide different ways to find, access and view soil data and information.
- The ANSIS website provides information about the ANSIS project and links to soil standards, data models and other outputs.
- The ANSIS portal provides a query interface and access to nationally standardised soil data and information from multiple data providers.
- The ANSIS visualiser uses colour to show differences in soil properties, turning complex soil data into clear, visual insights. Users can also view soil properties of interest on a scatter plot.
- The ANSIS site report tool presents complex soil site data and analytical results in an easy to read, editable, downloadable format.
The results
Benefits for all
ANSIS is providing readily accessible, nationally consistent soil data and information to enable Australians to better manage, restore and protect their soils. Heathy soil helps grow our food, purify our water, support our infrastructure, and maintain vibrant ecosystems.
ANSIS can help inform policy development and land management decisions by government, industry and farmers, at national, regional and local scales. It can be used to inform national assessments or help guide a farmer’s land management practices, or empower research by providing evidence-based science relevant to improving climate resilience, soil health and sustainable soil management.
With productive and resilient soils, our agricultural and natural ecosystems will thrive.
ANSIS is supported by funding through the Australian Government National Soil Strategy (Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment) in collaboration with CSIRO and partner organisations.