A DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MONITORING FOREST DYNAMICS

Abstract

Efficient data management is essential to the success of long-term biodiversity monitoring programmes, such as research in forest areas carried out by the Smithsonian Institution/Man and the Biosphere Biodiversity Program (SI/MAB). Over the past several years, SI/MAB has developed a user-friendly Biological Monitoring Database that allows programme personnel and other researchers to record and analyze large amounts of comparable data in attempts to understand changes in forest ecosystems. The system is being used extensively for research and education. The system's field module is designed for on-site data entry, interpretation and verification. The office module combines data from all SI/MAB research sites and produces user's and field guides and other reports for widespread distribution. SI/ MAB continues to refine the system for greater ease of use and additional applications.