The Database Management theme (1995-1999) was undertaken as part of the GARS Africa project and was developd to focus on the management of geoscience databases and to assess their integration with GIS technology within a GIS/GeoDIAS environment.

Objective of the Database Management theme

The Database Management theme was initiated to provide geological surveys in developing countries a means to access new computer-oriented geocoded information through development and implementation of a geoscience database.

Aim of the theme

The aim of the theme was to provide a link between raster imagery (from airborne or satellite sensors) with other geospatial information in order to allow a rational exploitation of all available data sets for geoscientific studies in the participating countries.

Geoscience Databases

A geoscience database is well-organised digital geoscience data set that can be used in conjunction with GIS technology and database software to help understand the broad relationships between geocoded information. The aim of the geoscience database is to provide the geoscientist with all of the geospatial information that is essential to performing a complete site investigation of a particular geographic location.

The creation and implementation of a geoscience database is dependant on three key issues:

• Availability of data
• Scientific focus
• Accessibility requirements
  
  Technically, geoscience databases can be classified into three main categories:
• Inventory, containing information such as geological observations or bore hole sections
• Cartographic, containing geocoded information such as points, areas or boundaries

Numeric, containing information such as petrological, geochemical or geophysical data

Geoscience databases are particularly useful for international programmes where an exchange of information and open access to the data is required by the participating organisations.

Methodology

The Database Management phase was performed by building on the experiences gained during the Knowledge Transfer phase of the GARS-Africa project through the following components:

• Training of specialists in database management and in the use of the GIS/GeoDIAS system
• Installation of image processing workstations for data analysis
• Acquisition of remote sensing data for incorporation within the geoscience database
• Design and implementation of a geoscience database for each participating country

Costs

Training	USD 15,000 per trainee per 6 months
Equipment	USD 50,000 per workstation with full capability USD 15,000 per workstation with limited capability Shipment to participant country after training
Equipment Support	USD 12,000 per country per year
Data Support	USD 15,000 per country for initial set-up

Participating Countries

Botswana
Ethiopia
Swaziland
Tanzania
Uganda
Zaire

International Collaboration

The Database Management Phase was carried out in collaboration with the Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale (MRAC) with extrabudgetary funding from the Belgian Government and UNESCO

For further information please contact J. Lavreau or M. Fernandez or visit MRAC