Decision Support System for Biebrza National Park - Efficient Decision Support Systems: Practice and Challenges from Current to Future - page 448

section were identified according to a vegetation map and topography determined with the
Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The Lower Biebrza Basin model was successfully calibrated
and verified for the measured data and historical data of flood events (Swiatek et al., 2008).
The water level values calculated with the numerical model of flood-flow for cross-sections
were used to determine the digital model of the floodwater table in the valley. Then, flood
extent maps were calculated for the whole area of the valley by overlaying the DEM and
water table layers.

7. IT components
Due to a historical legacy of the system, it is partly based on the relational databases (MS
Access) which is converted as necessary to the Environmental Systems Research Institute
(ESRI) geodatabase format. In addition, due to the low bandwidth Internet Web Server, the
Park has been tested and exhibited outside its headquarters on the server at the Warsaw
University of Life Sciences - SGGW (WULS). The system was tested in the BNP with
particular reference to the Red Bog Reserve (a raised bog area located in the northern part of
the Middle Basin) .

7.1 Databases and maps
The system consists of ten thematic databases built in a client-server structure. The database
tables are located on the server while the forms are on the personal computers of individual
staff. Each database is built, or is combined with a layer of information in a shp format or
geodatabase by ESRI. The whole system uses software MS SQL Server, MS Access and
ArcGIS Editor. The thematic databases contain information gathered from different research
activities conducted since the establishment of BNP in 1993, biota and a biotic resources
inventory, which was done during BNP management plan development in the late 1990ies
as well as historical and current management practices recorded by the park staff.
In the system the following database are included (Chormanski & Wassen, 2005):
 Ownership database
This database contains information on parcels situated within the BPN area. Information on
owners, usage and territorial units (commune, districts) is kept for each parcel.
 Non-Forest Management Activities database
This database is adapted for storing information on performed and planned protective
treatments.
 Forests database
This database is adapted for storing information on forest sub-sections within the BPN area.
It contains particularly information on general characteristics of more than 4400 forest sub-
sections, forest valuation description, information on gaps, planned and performed
protective and growing treatments, and on cuttings.
 Fauna database
This database is adapted for storing information on location, number and living
environment of vertebrates and invertebrates. It contains also characteristics of species as far
as relation to the human kind, zoography and ecological classification is concerned.
 Flora database
This database is adapted for storing information on occurrence and characteristics of plant
species, as well as on planned and performed protective treatments.
 Water quality database