A GPS-based data entry system has been developed and deployed for AfSIS sentinel landscape field surveys. This system uses CyberTracker software, which is an efficient way of gathering geo-referenced information. Field data are backed up to a field computer and external drives in field and regularly transmitted to the central AfSIS data repository at ICRAF, Nairobi. The data entry system includes efficient electronic workflows that are specifically adapted to the AfSIS field surveys, and have been extensively tested in field.

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) can provide rapid and accurate prediction of organic resource quality attributes across a wide range of resource types. Methods developed at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) can be used for calibrating models for prediction of organic resource quality.

One of the key challenges for AfSIS is how to measure soil functional properties on tens of thousands of georeferenced soil samples. Spectral diagnostics – the use of low cost, high throughput analytical techniques based on light reflectance – solves this problem. Infrared and x-ray spectroscopic analytical techniques that required minimal sample preparation are used as a front line screening tool. More expensive and time-consuming measurements of soil functional properties are then calibrated to the spectral measurements on a subset of samples.

Field training of AfSIS core teams from the regional offices in Bamako (Mali), Lilongwe (Malawi) and Arusha (Tanzania) got underway the week of July 19^th 2009 in Arusha, Tanzania.

During the training sessions, the teams cover AfSIS field survey methods, including planning, safety/security, navigation and basic bushcraft, and AfSIS laboratory analysis methods.