Environmental Monitoring on Research Centres and Large Farms Using Spatial Data Management Tools.

Abstract

The objective of project 4480 was to build an environmental management system by using a visual or map based approach to develop new ways to manage environmental data on a large farm or an estate of several farms. Geographic information system (GIS) techniques are extremely powerful, but they tend to be complex, and often require a high degree of skill and training in order to use them. Using systems analysis, the fundamental environmental management data were identified and a simplified spatial approach was developed to manage these environmental data. Johnstown Castle Research Centre consists of three farms, ornamental grounds, forests, lakes and streams. A set of database tables was generated to hold farm environmental data on these farms. These included: annual management summary data giving the average number of different types of animals, the amount of organic manure and N, P and K nutrients produced by them, fertiliser purchases, organic and chemical nutrient usage on the farm, achievement of nutrient management planning targets, etc. monthly livestock information recording the numbers of livestock of different types for the three farms, together with management comments on the changes and transfer that take place over the month, detailed land use and nutrient use information for each field or plot on the estate, recent soil analyses information for the experimental plots, analysis results of recent water samples which are taken regularly at sampling points throughout the estate. The topographical, soil and site features were digitised, in order to collect information on the overall and individual farm boundaries. This included roads, hedges and ditches, streams, rivers and lakes, the buildings and most particularly, the boundaries of all field and experimental plots. When the digitisation was complete, a set of bespoke programs was built, using the GIS system, ArcView. To make the system "user friendly", the menu system was customised by removing complex features; retaining only those buttons and menu options that served a purpose useful to the application. The programs were unified into a PC system called Johnstown Castle Environmental Monitoring System or JCEMS. For the future, it is envisaged that the maps and spatial techniques will be embodied into an Access database system and developed for use by other research stations and farms.