Multiresource inventories incorporating GIS, GPS, and database management systems

Large-scale natural resource inventories generate enormous data sets. Their effective handling requires a sophisticated database management system. Such a system must be robust enough to efficiently store large amounts of data and flexible enough to allow users to manipulate a wide variety of information. In a pilot project, related to a multiresource inventory of the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) holdings in Florida, a new temporal database model will be implemented. This model is a relational one with an enhanced entity relationship between component tables. It consists of a superclass, the spatial database index, mid a number of subclass component tables related through a unique identifier. This superclass may be thought of as a central repository, where all the sample locations with their rectangular coordinates are stored. In addition, a unique identifier denoting various aspects of the sampling designs is associated with the coordinates. The global positioning system (GPS) will be used to reference sample locations for periodic updates. The model will be implemented via Oracle's database server. ArcView's Event Theme option will be used to integrate the processed data with existing spatial data sets for further analysis. This approach will have the advantage of working with smaller sets of data as opposed to the traditional geographic information systems (GIS) spatial analysis. The ultimate objective is to provide timely and reliable information for making intelligent decisions.