The Global Population Dynamics Database

As a source of animal and plant population data, the Global Population Dynamics Database (GPDD) is unrivalled. Nearly five thousand separate time series are available here. In addition to all the population counts, there are taxonomic details of over 1400 species. The type of data contained in the GPDD varies enormously, from annual counts of mammals or birds at individual sampling sites, to weekly counts of zooplankton and other marine fauna. The project commenced in October 1994, following discussions on ways in which the collaborating partners could make a practical and enduring contribution to research into population dynamics. A small team was assembled and, with assistance and advice from numerous interested parties we decided to construct the database using the popular Microsoft Access platform. After an initial design phase, the major task has been that of locating, extracting, entering and validating the data in all the various tables. Now, nearly 5000 individual datasets have been entered onto the GPDD. The Global Population Dynamics Database comprises six Tables of data and information. The tables are linked to each other as shown in the diagram shown in figure 3 of the GPDD User Guide (GPDD-User-Guide.pdf). Referential integrity is maintained through record ID numbers which are held, along with other information in the Main Table. It's structure obeys all the rules of a standard relational database.

作为动植物种群数据的权威来源，全球种群动态数据库（Global Population Dynamics Database, GPDD）的地位无可匹敌。该库收录近五千条独立时间序列数据，除各类种群计数信息外，还涵盖超过1400个物种的分类学细节。GPDD所涵盖的数据类型跨度极大，从单个采样站点的哺乳类或鸟类年度种群计数，到浮游动物与其他海洋动物类群的周度计数均有涉及。该项目始于1994年10月，缘起于合作各方围绕如何为种群动态研究提供切实且持久的科研贡献而展开的探讨。项目组组建了小型团队，并在众多相关方的协助与建议下，决定采用广受欢迎的Microsoft Access平台搭建该数据库。在完成初始设计阶段后，核心工作转向在各类数据表中完成数据的定位、提取、录入与校验。目前，已有近5000条独立数据集被录入GPDD。全球种群动态数据库共包含六张数据与信息数据表，各表之间的关联关系可参见GPDD用户指南（GPDD-User-Guide.pdf）中的图3示意图。通过存储于主数据表（Main Table）及其他关联信息中的记录ID编号，可维持参照完整性。其结构完全遵循标准关系型数据库的所有规范。