Integrative Technical Data Center of the Berchtesgaden National Park Administration
Accomplished Work
The Geographic Information System and the corresponding technical data banks represent an important planning instrument for the National Park Administration. The basic data stored there relative to the natural features, as well as the uses of the area, served as relevant planning indicators for the National Park Plan, in particular in defining the borders of the core zone and the development zone (National Park Plan p. 9). This work has already proven that the technical data systems (comprised by GIS and a relative data bank) can take over important integration functions by which data stemming from the various technical branches are centrally stored and, by this means, can be brought together and processed in an integrative way (National Park Plan p. 164).
Altered framework since 2001
Since adoption of the 2001 National Park Plan, important milestones have been set that will influence the development of the Berchtesgaden Technical Data Systems:
- The luK – Landesstrategie für die bayerische Staatsverwaltung (Regional Strategy for Bavarian State Administration) was developed and became binding for all state institutions. The strategy’s goal is to consolidate the luK practices (centralization – standardization – cost transparency).
- The EU Inspire guidelines (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe) are also valid for Bavaria. Law proposals have been made on the national level that are also binding for Bavaria.
- The application of the EU guidelines regarding free access to environmental data into the German and Bavarian Environmental Information Laws (2003 and 2007).
- The current EU initiative for a joint environmental information system (SEIS = Shared Environmental Information System) that can either be applied to its own guidelines or integrated into existing guidelines.
Hardware and Software Development since 2001
In the last 10 years the Internet has become a central working tool in all fields of business and administration. Nearly all data bank systems and software for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are Internet compatible. The data structures elaborated some 20 years ago need to be developed further using this basis. Today it is possible to implement all applications in such a way that even the most remote sites can have Internet access to these central applications.
Obligation to continue the development of the National Park Technical Data Information System
The National Park Administration’s GIS data was, in part, elaborated over 20 years ago and has been used in the same form ever since. Understandably the original structure is no longer up-to-date. For this reason a project is currently underway to check the structures’ continued development keeping in mind the altered conditions and with the use of appropriate hardware and software. The following structures have been set up:
- Technical Data System for Botany
- Technical Data System for Zoology
- Technical Data System for Climate
- Technical Data System for Water
- Technical Data System for the Forest (Game)
- Technical Data System for the Territory
- Technical Data System for Environmental Education
These data systems are managed centrally. The following applications are established upon them:
- Related research projects for the support of the National Park’s work as set by the National Park Plan, as well as the former existent – and constantly increased - report obligations and ongoing authorization procedures.
- Analyses for research and planning
- Model-making with the use of all the information systems for the overall analysis of a hydrologic balance model, for instance, or a snowfall model or the propagation of animal and plant species
- Long-term environmental observation as a contribution to eco-systematic environmental observation
- Time series analyses and monitoring. This became possible only with the use of the above mentioned structures.
- Environmental Education
- Public Relations
- Possible flexible representation in the new Haus der Berge center
These applications must continue to be developed with the growing data volume, as well as technical progress. They should be made visible to internal and external users, must be documented and be made accessible for other uses.
Usage
If the path described above is followed further it will assure an internal data flow for the National Park Administration’s technical sectors and the public presentation of the technical data systems. A synergetic effect will be achieved and a comparison of measures in the individual technical sectors will be structurally guaranteed. This is especially the case in the fields of research, planning and management, as well as for environmental education and public relations work.