Prairie and tree planting tool—PT2 (1.0): a conservation decision support tool for Iowa, USA

This article overviews the prairie and tree planting tool or PT2 (1.0), an online GIS-based decision support for landowners interested in exploring opportunities to plant trees around their farm fields conservation production purposes. 1.0 can be found at: https://pt2.nrem.iastate.edu/ . With (1.0) users locate of interest aerial photograph mapping geographic information system (GIS). Users explore areas they are considering cover by examining different data layers: soil maps, 2-foot contour topography LiDAR hillshade a map current land values based on estimated rent. then utilize scaled dimensional drawing tools measure delineate prairie. Once area is delineated, select from drop-down menus seed mixes woody species that suitable soils present, basic long-term management options. estimates total annualized costs establishment, management, opportunity (based weighted expected rent), factors potential benefit utilizing government cost-share programming, e.g., Environmental Quality Incentive Program Conservation Reserve Program. Key layers currently functional Iowa, likewise financial underlying cost analysis specific Iowa. is, however, open source code guidance provided regarding how access adapt use other states.