Naturbase 3.XA presentation of the Directorate for Nature

Management's Nature Database – an expert data system designed for nature management

Spatial data – in focus for the Norwegian nature management

• Spatial data serves as a basis in management of resources at the local and the national level – spatial environmental data are important – and necessary - input to the planning processes

• Data on state and trends is basic in establishing and revising environmental policy, important factors are expressed through spatial data or analyses based on spatial data

• Information about state and trends to the public– Internet and media are the most important carriers of spatial

information– Efficient; ”everyone” can find information– Flexible, makes updating ”on the fly” in true time possible– Involving; inviting to or even organising dialogs with users of the

internet services

Facts about Nature Database -”Naturbase”

• Expert tool with geographical information for the Directorate for Nature Management (DN) and the County Governors office

• Historically related to ”old” databases

• Covering a wide range thematically

• Central database - local map modules

• Previously a relation database with an integrated map solution (WinMapSql)

• Today used in connection with ArcView as GIS-tool

NATURBASE 2.0

NATURBASE 2.0 NATURBASE

1.0NATURBASE

1.0

PROTECTEDAREAS

REPORTS

PROTECTEDAREAS

REPORTS

PROTECTED AREAS

PROTECTED AREAS

SPIECES OF SIGNIFICANCESPIECES OF

SIGNIFICANCE

1980s 1993 1999 2003

NATURBASE 3.0

NATURBASE 3.0

The history in short – from separate thematic systems to one integrated

system with thematic modules

AREAS FOROUTDOOR

RECREATION

WinMapSQL ArcGIS

DOMESTIC LANDSCAPESDOMESTIC

LANDSCAPES

HABITATS –HOT SPOTSHABITATS –HOT SPOTS

Naturbase2.0

DN

Naturbase 3.0

DNGEOPORTAL

Internet

Sectors

Municipalities

Statistics/analyses

Developing from an internal management tool to a system with external focus as

well (or to say a primarily focus)

This is (not) about technology!

Some key factors

• Accepted and approved by the head of organisations– Should be founded in strategies – Economical resources must be available– Employees and consultants must be dedicated to this

task

• Standards, including methods and production lines from the work in field to the smashing show-up on the internet

• Capacity/competence• A dedicated owner of each system

It's about priority,

establishing of methods and standards,

and it's about organising and

motivating people. Then systems and

GIS / IT.

Kartlegging av naturtyperVerdisetting av biologisk mangfold

DN-håndbok 13, 1999Kartlegging av ferskvannslokaliteter

DN-håndbok 15

Standardisation of methods; classification units within biodiversity

The overall scheme for the management of biodiversity in Norway

Coordinating legislative activities

Coordinating legislative activities

Areas/habitats of great importance for biodiversity

Areas/habitats of great importance for biodiversity

Coordinating governmental

economic means

Coordinating governmental

economic means

Classification and valuation according to standards

Classification and valuation according to standards

Surveying, mapping, monitoring

Aimed toAimed to Aimed toAimed to

Map objects

Thematic attributes

ID-nr

Naturbase - desktopapplication

Naturbase – Arc Ims Service

Naturbase – Web Map Services

? ?

?

?!

!!

!

!

The fundamental basis!

A quick look at the application

Natural habitat

Species registration (point) Protected area

Recreation areas owned by the state (blue)

Værnes Airport

Information button gives a fact sheet “on the fly”

Attributs

Attributes

Basics; year of protection, link to legislation, international status etc.

Management, description of

the area, status of management

plan

Logging automatically all operations on this map

object

Species habitat; names

of species, description of

habitat

Details on each species

observed in the habitat

(monitoring data)

Results of query

Query

The map may be copied to

clip board

And replaced as a picture…

The map may be copied to a

picture file, some selected

formats are available

The system may generate

reports defined by user

From a list of all attributes, user decides

what fields the reports shall

cover

The system generates an Excel file with results. This file may be formatted and edited according to the

facilities within the Excel software.

With some simple editing a report may look like this.

Export from the database to map files in SOSI-format; technically the most

advanced function of the system.

Most Norwegians believe the Nature Database is here:

And, well, they're right; www.dirnat.no/nbinnsyn

Success factors and experiences• The leaders must accept and approve!• Concrete strategies, aims and priorities are crucial• Sufficient supply of resources according to the chosen level of

ambition• Motivated thematic experts with a ”touch of” curiosity towards IT

is a huge advantage• Nothing works without competent people around• Functional tools makes it easier (IT isn't all, but it helps)• Standardisation is needed for the ability of exchanging data• Routines and responsibilities that can't be misunderstood

prevents problems in data production and data flow• Cooperation and networking within the experts fields, both

thematic and technical• When things work, it tends to strengthen the participants

motivation in making it work even better…….

Norge digitaltNorge digitalt Distribution Services

Distributors

VØT

User B

Cooperation on management of data

Access to data within ”Norway Digital”

Extranet between the parties

Organised access and cooperation between “all” users of spatial data

Kommuner/Fylker Increased value

User A

User C

WMS in data management• WebMap Services (an open

transferring format for data)• Data placed as pictures (layers) on

the Internet• Readable for WebMap clients and

several GIS-tools locally installed• Distributed sources of data

available in true time• Every owner of data sets up a map

service• No copying of data belonging to

other data owners• WMS-maps may be read together

with local data in local databases for spatial data

UsersUsersMap clientMap client

InternetInternet

MapMapServiceService

TopographicTopographicmapmap

MapMapServiceService

SpatialSpatialDataData

Theme 3Theme 3

MapMapServiceService

SpatialSpatialDataData

Theme 2Theme 2

MapMap ServiceService

SpatialSpatialDataData

Theme 1Theme 1

Call up, query/response and downloading

WMS with local data in map tools installed locally

WMS in international portals

WMS in the Geoportal of ”Norway Digital”

WMS integrated in services from distributors of GIS-systems