Work on the design of an ancient tree and rare plant information
management system has been completed according to those who
attended a recent meeting of the General Office of the National
Forestation Committee under the State Council, China Green
Times reported on February 20.
When operational the network management of ancient trees and
rare plants around the country will be possible.
The purpose of developing such a comprehensive system was to
better manage and preserve the nation's ancient trees and rare
plants. At the same time it provides an opportunity for information
exchange between the General Office of the National Forestation
Committee and offices at various local levels.
The system allows research of a certain rare species to be
carried out using a statistical database and a geographic
distribution map. An introduction about a particular plant, its
category and distribution can easily be accessed using the system
that displays plant information in relation to ecology, scientific
research, humanities, geography and tourism. In addition the system
offers scientific reference points on why protective measures are
necessary.
The system has a four-tier administration -- at national,
provincial, municipal and county levels. The forestation committees
at county-level are responsible for collecting and maintaining the
plant samples and feeding the information to other interested
parties.
Information that can be found on the system includes documentary
data on ancient trees, the GPS location, the age of particular
trees, their variety, ownership, level of protection afforded them,
records of transplantation, diseases and general history.
An 'expert database' has also been established using the system.
This includes the name of an expert, age, contact way and field of
research. The experts will be able to conduct on-line consultations
on plant diseases.
The system was designed by the Survey and Plan Designing
Institute under the State Forestry Administration, entrusted by the
National Forestation Committee.
(China.org.cn by Zhang Tingting, February 26, 2006)