The prevailing universal problem in environmental data management (EDM) systems is the significant incoherence between data collection procedures and the retrieval of information required by the users. In this regard, an integrated approach to EDM has become vital. The problems that must be addressed require interdisciplinary approaches and much more sharing of data and information than in the past. This book focuses on the issue of environmental data management, especially aspects such as: objectives and constraints; design of data collection networks; statistical and physical sampling; remote sensing and GIS; databases; reliability of data; data analysis; and transformation of data into information. The subject has an international, interdisciplinary nature and constitutes the basis for all environmental management activities.
The text presents an integrated approach to the problem, consisting of: integration of different levels and aspects of environmental data management; state-of-the-art evaluation of problems and solutions relevant to each aspect; integration of views and expertise of scientists from different disciplines and different countries; and integration of interdisciplinary approaches to data collection and information retrieval.