In the previous issue (Article “New BioDat Website”),
we wrote about the launch of BioDat web site. Now we are going to speak
about its database that accumulates unique knowledge, skills and experience
of people working in the Russian zapovednik framework and field ecologists.
The complex of interconnected databases available at BioDat fulfils
a number of functions: it includes resumes of numerous experts, information
on their fieldwork experience, information resources, publications,
use of informational technologies and experience in the environmental
propaganda. First of all, we have summarised information on people who
work (or used to work) in the Russian protected area system. Urban dwellers,
who have better access to Internet and e-mail, can add new information
on themselves via the ‘Specialists’ access mode (http://www.biodat.ru/db/persons/index.htm)
and ‘Nature Experts’ access mode (http://www.biodat.ru/db/zp/index.htm).
The database helps in planning new researches, selecting specialists
to provide expertise, consultancy, or project management, as well as
solvin staff-related issues.
The major database sections are: “Bibliography of research studies
undertaken by zapovednik and national park staff members”, “Experience
and knowledge uniqueness rating for experts of various specialities”,
and “Key gaps in PA research (see also materials in this
article).
To formulate your request, you should go through three pop-up menus. First, you select a PA or a region, and, if possible, select relevant subject matter from the list. If the PA and region are selected simultaneously, but the selected PA is located in the other region, the search fails. If search conditions were not selected, (i.e. all search windows are left blank) all found entries would be shown on the page. If the number of found entries is too big, they will be shown not as a long list, but page-by-page, where each page contains 30entries. In this case, a scrolling bar will appear in the bottom of the page.
To browse information according to key words in bibliographic works and interactive geographic maps, use the Section “Bibliography of scientific publications…”.
The database is a preliminary one, it is based on information available today. It will be refined and updates as PAs and environmental experts submit relevant additional information.
