Accessibility of database information to facilitate early detection of extreme events to help mitigate their impacts on agriculture, forestry and fisheries

Abstract

Extreme events can cause severe damage in several sectors such as agriculture, forests and fisheries. In order to facilitate early detection of these harmful episodes, adequate climate and agrometeorological databases must be ensured. Some observational data and products necessary for early detection are presented in this paper. It briefly reviews the main features of proper databases that provide quality controlled data and products, useful to the end-users, easily accessible and in a timely manner. The data can be accessed through the standardization of database management and electronic accessibility. The main features and importance of data collection, automatic weather stations (AWS), database management and relational database management systems (RDBMS) are described. Examples of agrometeorological databases, database management systems and their applications and accessibility are given. Remote sensing (geostationary satellites, NOAA-Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), radar and lighting detectors) offers a valuable source of spatial information and can be complementary or even alternative to ground-based observations. Due to the processing of data from various sources in agrometeorology, and the need to display them in maps, geographical information systems (GIS) are in wider use today. GIS can help to identify the risk, extent and severity of many extreme events. Some examples of applications of remote sensing and GIS are presented. Finally, training, interdisciplinary collaboration and communication between users and developers of products are referred as essential means to achieve these goals. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.