A series of AgZero+ datasets is now accessible as comparable layers within the Spatial Explorer tool, allowing researchers, farmers and others to quickly toggle through the information they need. 

The datasets draw on information from national sensor networks, satellites, surveys and study farms a to provide insights into agricultural landscapes, land management, environmental assets and recreational use. The datasets can be used to explore patterns over space and time, to contextualise farms or landscapes, and as input to models of environmental risk and benefit.  

The collection can be viewed using an easy-to-use interactive explorer that acts as a digital shop window for our data. It enables you to do the following:  

  • Understand the data available in each dataset, to explore its suitability for your work 
  • Visualise patterns in the data over space and time   
  • Overlay datasets to help conceptualise research questions (e.g. are particular soil types associated with higher agrochemical applications? Do land cover patterns affect expected recreational value?) 
  • Signpost the way to further information and access/licensing for each dataset  

By bringing together national-scale datasets, the spatial explorer supports researchers, farmers and other stakeholders in understanding interactions between food production, the environment and society, and exploring practical pathways towards achieving net zero plus arable and livestock farming systems. 

This collection includes: 

The Spatial Explorer was developed in collaboration with the National Capability for UK challenges (NC-UK) programme. It provides a scalable platform for environmental data discovery and visualisation, demonstrating how shared digital research infrastructure and services can efficiently integrate new data sources while providing users with a seamless experience. This single interactive interface is a core part of the ambitious digital research infrastructure work being led by UKCEH.