Relational databases as a tool to manage environmental data at the research plot scale
Title | Relational databases as a tool to manage environmental data at the research plot scale |
Publication Type | Conference Proceedings |
Year of Conference | 2002 |
Authors | Erickson, T., and Donahue D. |
Conference Name | 70th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Series Title | Proceedings of the 70th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Date Published | May 2002 |
Publisher | Western Snow Conference |
Conference Location | Granby, Colorado |
Keywords | Relational database, Environmental data, Mammoth Mountain, Meteorological data |
Abstract | Relational databases management systems (RDBMS) can be used as highly effective storage systemsenvironmental data. RDBMS are most suited to storing large volumes of repetitive data. RDBMS offer significantadvantages over data storage methods (such as ASCII text files or spreadsheet programs) by offering flexibility in the types of information stored, speed of retrieval, and the ability to share data with other computer programs. Information contained in RDBMS can be accessed through desktop programs or may be distributed over the Internet. However, RDBMS may not be appropriate for all types of collected data, especially when the format ofthe data changes frequently. Snow hydrology data can be efficiently stored in a RDBMS, particularly if many repetitive measurements aremade in time or in space, such as automated meteorological measurements obtained from data loggers. Intelligently designed RDBMS link metadata to the collected data and allow scientists to analyze and store comments on the quality of the data. Design issues encountered during the processes of data modeling, database design, and data distribution are described. Examples are taken from the currently operational Mammoth Mountain Energy Balance Monitoring Site database and a sample data model created to store information on Western Snow Conference(WSC) members and papers. |
URL | sites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/2002Erickson.pdf |