A WebGIS Data Retrieval System for Use in Environmental Monitoring

Abstract

One of the most demanding challenges in science and society today is to manage the enormous amount of information and data collected, e.g. by environmental monitoring networks, every single day. Problems coming up in this context, in general, do not differ from those people were confronted with since ancient times and have to be considered when performing an efficient information exchange: 1. Chosing a durable and commonly accessible data carrier; 2. Chosing a reliable data interpreter; 3. Chosing a universal information language; 4. Preventing data against falsification. Considering this, we have to accelerate efforts in data exchange because the development of the technical environment and the evolution of informatics cause vast amounts of inaccessible or hidden knowledge and information. According to this, a cheap and platform independent system is needed where data can be published quickly, where no special technical background by the user is needed and where user management ensures the data quality. A webbased information system which is filled up with geographical base maps, metadata and measurements is an appropiate technology for realising these standards. This article deals with the implementation of a WebGIS Data retrieval system which is developed for the use in the Long Term Ecological Research Network Germany (LTER-D). This system is used to collect data from different measurement networks and research projects in Germany. The aim is to analyse long term ecological impacts like global warming or forest dieback with integrated data from different environmental monitoring sites distributed over the whole territory of Germany.