The resource inventory: in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity. (Biodiversity Data Management - document 4)

472 Pages·1995·13.5 MB·English

by  WCMC

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BIODIVltRSITV Data MANAGEIvtHNT
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WORLD CONSERVATION
MONITORING CENTRE
The mission ofthe
World Conservation Monitoring Centre is to provide
information on the status, security and
management ofthe Earth's biological diversity.
BIODIVERSITY DATA MANAGEMENT
(Document 4)
RESOURCE INVENTORY
in the context of the
Convention on Biological Diversity
United Nations Environment Progranraie
March 1995

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1. This document is one of a series of four researched and compiled by the World
Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge UK with 80% funding from the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP), Project GF/0301-94-40 (GF/0301-94-06). The need for the development of
a package oftools and materials to support national information management for the
Convention was identified and the project promulgated by Mark Collins (Director,
WCMC) and Robin Pellew (former Director of WCMC).
2. The Resource Inventory was compiled by a large team ofWCMC staff, consultants
and external contributors, including Alistair Bailey, Ian Barnes, Laura Battlebury,
Clare Billington, John Busby, Christine Carey, Mary Cordiner, Helen Corrigan, Ian
Crain, Inigo Everson, Scott Frazier, Harriet Gillett, Don Gordon, Jeremy Harrison,
GarethLloyd, ChrisMagin, GwynnethMartin, JakeReynolds, JonathanRhind, Doug
Sheil, Tom Spencer, Kerry Walter, and D.D.Wynn-Williams.
3. The document has benefited, as well, from review and comment by Michael Green,
Brian Groombridge, Jeremy Harrison, Keith Hiscock, Paul Holthus, Joe Horwood,
Martin Jenkins, Ed Maltby, Smart McRae, Chris Magin, Peter Scott, Andy Tickle,
Kerry Walter, Ed Wiken, Barry Wyatt, and from experts in a number of countries
who participated in a consultation meeting hosted by UNEP in Nakobi in October,
1994. Parts of the inventory have utilised mtemational and public domain sources,
bibliographies, and reference materials. Document organisation, integration, and
editing was by Jake Reynolds with the assistance ofLaura Battlebury. Ian Crain was
the project manager and responsible for overall design.
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
UNEP-WCIVIC, Cambridge
http://www.archive.org/details/resourceinventor95wcmc
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 GUIDE to the RESOURCE INVENTORY 1-1
1.1 Background 1-1
1.2 How to Use the Resource Inventory 1-2
INFORMATION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
2 2-1
2.1 Development Methodologies 2-1
2.2 Establishmg User Needs 2-2
2.2.1 Overview 2-2
2.2.2 Examples 2-3
2.3 Database Development Techniques 2-5
2.3.1 Overview 2-5
2.3.2 CASE Tools 2-5
2.3.3 Entity-Relationship Modelling 2-5
2.3.4 Metadatabase Development 2-6
2.4 Framework Issues 2-8
2.4.1 Custodianship and Information Access 2-8
2.4.2 Legal Issues 2-10
2.5 References 2-10
TOOLS MANAGING DATA
3 for 3-1
3.1 Selection of Hardware and Software 3-1
3.2 Software Tools 3-5
3.2.1 Overview 3-5
3.2.2 Database Management Systems 3-5
3.2.3 Spreadsheets 3-11
3.2.4 Statistical Packages 3-15
3.2.5 GIS/Mapping Systems 3-21
3.2.6 Image Analysis Systems 3-29
3.2.7 Biodiversity Application Software 3-33
3.2.8 Data Capture Tools 3-47
3.3 Internet Communications 3-48
3.3.1 What is the Internet? 3-48
3.3.2 Usefulness of the Internet 3-49
3.3.3 Gettmg Started 3-49
3.3.4 Choosing the Internet Provider 3-49
3.3.5 What Kind of Connection is Suitable? 3-51
3.4 Internet Resources 3-51
3.4.1 Sending Messages •. 3-51
3.4.2 Network News 3-54
3.4.3 Network Information Retrieval (NIR) Tools 3-54
3.4.4 Further Internet Resources 3-58
3.5 Non Digital Information Exchange Formats 3-59
3.5.1 Microform 3-59
3.6 References 3-60
4 DATA MANAGEMENT STANDARDS 4-1
4.1 Dociunentation of Data 4-1
4.2 Data Quality 4-2
4.3 Data Exchange Formats 4-3
4.3.1 Overview 4-3
4.3.2 De facto Data Exchange Standards 4-4
4.3.3 National and International Data Transfer Standards 4-4
4.3.4 Graphics Exchange Formats 4-6
4.3.5 Spatial Data Conversion 4-7
4.4 Environmental Thesauri 4-8
4.4.1 Overview 4-8
4.4.2 Thesaurus Functionality 4-9
4.4.3 Thesaurus Software 4-10
4.4.4 Environmental Thesauri Listing 4-11
4.5 References 4-13
5 THEMATIC INFORMATION STANDARDS 5-1
5.1 Introduction 5-1
5.1.1 Overview 5-1
5.1.2 Geopolitical Definitions 5-1
5.1.3 Habitat Classification Definitions 5-3
5.1.4 References 5-5
5.2 Terrestrial Vegetation 5-5
5.2.1 Overview 5-5
_.
5.2.2 Minimum Data Requirements 5-7
5.2.3 Development of Classification Systems 5-9
5.2.4 Classification Systems and Standards 5-10
5.2.5 Data Definitions and Models 5-15
5.2.6 References 5-15
Annex 1 NALC Pathfinder Categorisation System 5-20
Annex 2 CORINE Land Cover Nomenclature 5-21
Annex 3 IGBP-DIS LCWG Global Land Cover Classification System 5-22
Annex 4 ITC Land Use and Land Cover Classification System .... 5-24
Annex 5 White's Vegetation Classification of Afiica 5-25
Annex 6 FAO Tropical Forest Resources Project 5-27
5.3 Agriculture 5-28
5.3.1 Overview 5-28
5.3.2 Classification Systems and Standards 5-29
5.3.3 Data Definitions and Models 5-32
5.3.4 References 5-32
5.4 Forestry 5-34
5.4.1 Overview 5-34
5.4.2 Classification Systems and Standards 5-34
5.4.3 Minimimi Data Requirements 5-42
5.4.4 Data Definitions 5-42
5.4.5 Database Models 5-43
5.4.6 References 5-44
Aimex 1: Forest Terminology 5-49
5.5 Wetlands 5-51
5.5.1 Overview 5-51
5.5.2 Development of Classification Systems 5-51
5.5.3 Example Classification Systems 5-54
5.5.4 Minimum Data Requirements 5-55
5.5.5 References 5-57
Aimex 1 Information Sheet on Ramsar Sites 5-60
Aimex 2 Criteria for Identifying Wetlands of International Importance 5-62
Aimex 3 Classification System for Wetland Types 5-65
Aimex 4 Coding System for Wetland Types 5-67
Aimex 5 Database Coding for Ramsar Wetland Type Classification 5-69
. .
Annex 6 The Cowardin Hierarchy of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats 5-71
5.6 Coastal and Marine Habitats 5-73
5.6.1 Overview 5-73
5.6.2 Classification Systems and Standards 5-73
5.6.3 Data Definitions and Models 5-76
5.6.4 References 5-78
Annex 1: Global Marine Classification Systems . . 5-81
Annex 2: Major Marine Ecosystem Divisions and Sub-divisions 5-82
5.7 Protected Areas 5-88
. .
5.7.1 Overview 5-88
5.7.2 Classification Systems and Standards 5-88
5.7.3 Minimum Data Requirements 5-93
5.7.4 Database Structures 5-97
5.7.5 Protected Area Themes 5-98
5.7.6 References 5-102
5.8 Species 5-105
5.8.1 Overview 5-105
5.8.2 Nomenclatural Standards 5-105
5.8.3 Standard Lists of Species Names 5-107
5.8.4 Organisations and Networks Setting Standards 5-107
TDWG
5.8.5 Published Standards 5-112
5.8.6 Database Models 5-114
5.8.7 Miscellaneous Standards 5-115
5.8.8 References 5-116
5.9 Threats 5-119
5.9.1 Overview 5-119
5.9.2 Threats to Genetic Diversity 5-119
5.9.3 Threats to Species Diversity -. 5-120
5.9.4 Threats to Ecosystem Diversity 5-122
5.9.5 Habitat Lx)ss and Fragmentation 5-127
5.9.6 Global Climate Change 5-128
5.9.7 Acid Rain 5-129
5.9.8 Ozone Depletion 5-130
5.9.9 Toxic Contaminants 5-131
5.9.10 References 5-132
Annex 1: Original lUCN Threatened Species Categories 5-136
Anjiex 2: New lUCN Threatened Species Categories 5-137
6 EDUCATION and TRAINING 6-1
6.1 Introduction 6-1
6.1.1 Overview 6-1
6.1.2 On-site Training 6-1
6.1.3 Vendor Training 6-2
6.2 Education and Training Opportunities 6-3
6.2.1 Approach 6-3
6.2.2 Summary 6-4
6.2.3 List of Opportunities 6-7
6.3 Funding Sources 6-33
6.4 References 6-34
7 INFORMATION SOURCES 7-1
7.1 Electronic Data Sources 7-1
CD-ROM
7.1.1 and Diskette 7-1
7.1.2 On-line Services 7-10
7.1.3 Network Based Special Interest Groups 7-15
7.1.4 Metadatabases 7-29