Relational databases for plants and habitat types monitoring under Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitat Directive): an example from Campania (Italy)

The implementation of the Habitat Directive (Dir. 92/43/EEC) entails gathering a large amount of field data. As for monitoring activities, along with spatial data (GIS data), tabular data regarding habitat, plant and animal species population size, and pressures and threats acting on them are collected. In this paper we describe two relational databases designed to ensure a correct and efficient data storage for the habitats listed in Annex I and the Plant species listed in the Annexes II, IV and V. The two relational Databases were designed in Microsoft Access format. In both databases, “Lookup Tables” related to the taxon were used to avoid replication and to centralize the data. Data Tables were used to store the raw data deriving from monitoring activities. The adopted databases allow the storage of collected data in a standard and homogeneous format and make data entry easier to users, reducing input errors. The databases comply with the mandatory actions of art. 11 and 17 of the Habitat Directive and give a prompt reply to the basic requests of users. Finally, the databases aim to provide citizens and/or other end users with all the data gathered in a single regional repository, with zoological data in addition.