Digital data collection for a GIS-based alpine pasture assessment model in Gesäuse National Park

Diploma thesis at Johannes Kepler University Linz Rottenmann In order to realise a continuous digital data flow for the GIS-based alpine assessment model already introduced in the Gesäuse National Park, it seemed to the responsible head of the Nature Conservation and Nature Area Mag. MSc. Daniel Kreiner is useful to replace the usual procedure for analog data acquisition with pencil and paper with the use of modern adequate technology. As part of a thesis, a mobile database-based recording system was to be implemented for the Nationalpark Gesäuse GmbH. The resulting data must be compared with an Access database on the PC. A commercial PDA should be used as a mobile detection device. The client’s main focus was on the use of modern and future-oriented technologies. Furthermore, it had to be built on the already introduced and correspondingly extensive Microsoft Access database. No structural changes could be made to this, as the company’s entire applications access this central database. As a central point in development, the best possible adaptation of the application to the previous recording processes was seen in order to promote acceptance by the user and on the other hand to obtain a product that can be used as intuitively as possible. The user interface should be very clearly structured. A thematic grouping of the recording parameters as in the analogue recording sheets was required. Furthermore, a mandatory sequential recording of the individual parameters should be avoided in order to give the user the greatest possible degree of flexibility. As a relief for the user, a possibility of positioning was required. In order to be able to orient yourself locally, the current position should be displayed on orthophotos available in the company.