Information Management

Information Management plays a major role at the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site. Intensive forest ecosystem research, conducted on the Andrews Forest since the 1950's, has resulted in many diverse, long-term ecological databases and a strong commitment to information management. Hundreds of ecological databases are managed through the Forest Science Data Bank (FSDB), which has long been an essential component of the Andrews LTER and is jointly sponsored by the OSU College of Forestry and the US Forest Service PNW. The FSDB is managed through an information management system that supports the collection, quality control, archival and long-term accessibility of collected data and associated metadata. The Andrews LTER maintains an extensive bibliography and image library, and personnel and keyword databases are managed for integrated web searches. The site is also active in LTER network projects including development and maintenance of the ClimDB/HydroDB intersite climate and hydrology database.

Research Details

• Andrews LTER Information Management Activities
• Andrews LTER Information System Plan
• Spatial Management Activities and Planning
• Network and Cross-site Information Management Activities
• System Administration
• Schema of FSDB LTER Integrated Metadata System (FLIMSY)    [Printer Ready PDF]
• Previous summaries of Information Management activities

Master database list

Personnel

• Leader(s)
  • Donald L. Henshaw
• Key Personnel
  • Frederick A. Bierlmaier
  • Suzanne Remillard
  • Gody Spycher
  • Theresa J. Valentine
• Associates
  • Howard Bruner
  • Craig Creel
  • Greg Downing
  • Becky Fasth
  • Michael J. Furniss
  • Mark E. Harmon
  • Cynthia J. Lienkaemper
  • Tami L. Lowry
  • John Moreau
  • Jay M. Sexton
  • Zhiqiang Yang

Other Links

• LTER Network Informatics and links to LTER IM Committee Activities
• Climate and Hydrology Database Projects (CLIMDB/HYDRODB)
• ORNL/NASA/LTER DAAC Data Query System
• Spatial Information Group
• Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing in Ecology (LARSE) Image Database
• IGERT Ecosystem Informatics at Oregon State University
• The Systematics, Cybernetics, and Informatics World Conference (2002 LTER Presentations)
• Data and Information Management in the Ecological Sciences: A Resource Guide (1997)
• Metadata Standards
  • Ecological Metadata Language (EML)
  • NBII Metadata Standards: Biological Data Profile
  • Committee Report: Future of Long-term Ecological Data (FLED)

Key Citations

Henshaw, Donald L.; Spycher, Gody; Remillard, Suzanne M. 2002. Transition from a legacy databank to an integrated ecological information system. In: Callaos, Nagib; Porter, John; Rishe, Naphtali, eds. The 6th world multiconference on systemics, cybernetics and informatics; Orlando, FL. Orlando, FL: International Institute of Informatics and Systemics: 373-378. (Pub No: 3123)

Baker, Karen S.; Benson, Barbara J.; Henshaw, Don L.; Blodgett, Darrell; Porter, John H.; Stafford, Susan G. 2000. Evolution of a multisite network information system: the LTER information management paradigm. BioScience. 50(11): 963-978. (Pub No: 2742)

Henshaw, Donald L.; Spycher, Gody. 1999. Evolution of ecological metadata structures at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site. In: Aguirre-Bravo, Celedonio; Franco, Carlos Rodriguez, eds. North American science symposium: toward a unified framework for inventorying and monitoring forest ecosystem resources; 1998 November 2-6; Guadalajara, Mexico. Proceedings RMRS-P-12. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 445-449. (Pub No: 2620)

Henshaw, Donald L.; Stubbs, Maryan; Benson, Barbara J.; Baker, Karen; Blodgett, Darrell; Porter, John H. 1998. Climate database project: a strategy for improving information access across research sites. In: Michener, William K.; Porter, John H.; Stafford, Susan G., eds. Data and information management in the ecological sciences: a resource guide; 1997 August 8-9; Albuquerque, NM. Albuquerque, NM: LTER Network Office, University of New Mexico: 123-127. (Pub No: 2441)

Michener, William K.; Brunt, James W.; Helly, John J.; Kirchner, Thomas B.; Stafford, Susan G. 1997. Nongeospatial metadata for the ecological sciences. Ecological Applications. 7(1): 330-342. (Pub No: 2389)

Spycher, G.; Cushing, J. B.; Henshaw, D. L.; Stafford, S. G.; Nadkarni, N. 1996. Solving problems for validation, federation, and migration of ecological databases. In: Global networks for environmental information: Proceedings of Eco-Informa '96; Lake Buena Vista, FL. Ann Arbor, MI: Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM): 11: 695-700. (Pub No: 2292)

Stafford, Susan G.; Spycher, Gody; Klopsch, Mark W. 1988. Evolution of the Forest Science Data Bank. Journal of Forestry. 86(9): 50-51. (Pub No: 759)

Stafford, S. G.; Alaback, P. B.; Koerper, G. J.; Klopsch, M. W. 1984. Creation of a forest science data bank. Journal of Forestry. 82(7): 432-433. (Pub No: 1352)

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