Environmental Data Processing

What do we do?
Our main task is to ensure, that data from the WSL Section Forest Ecosystems and Ecological Risks is permanently secure and safely stored. Geographic Information System (GIS) is used for analysis, simulations and visualisations. Data access for project members should be as easy as possible. To fulfill these requirements we mainly use ORACLE- and ESRI- products.

Geographic Information System - ArcGIS
"A GIS is computer software that links geographic information (where things are) with descriptive information (what things are like). Unlike a flat paper map, where "what you see is what you get," a GIS can have many layers of information" (ESRI, 19.03.2001).

ORACLE database
Oracle is one of the most widely used databases. It is an object-relational database and has more Internet-related features since version 8i. With the new SDE/SDO option there is a closer relationship between database and ArcGIS modules. It is now possible to use GIS tools with data taken from the database and to execute spatial queries with database tools. That is the reason why it is a so-called geo-referenced database. Apart from being a reliable product the features mentioned above are our main justification for using Oracle products. For further information visit the Oracle website.

Want to know more?
We would like to hear from you. Please send your feedback, corrections and suggestions to Luzi Bernhard, Peter Jakob or Flurin Sutter.