ABOUT THE DATABASE
As research costs soar, it is important to have a system that preserves the data and information generated by the ALGAS for future use. The ALGAS Regional database on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions is developed based on the GHG database framework developed by UNEP/EAP-AP in conjunction with the ADB and the ALGAS team. The database format is designed as relational database by combining standard X-Base format and object oriented power of Visual FoxPro to allow easy data handling – data input, data modification, data export and trend analysis capabilities – for the users. Information from this database can be retrieved for intermediate analysis as well as secondary analysis. The format also compatible and can be incorporated with commonly used GIS (Geographic Information Systems) like ARC/INFO and ArcView. The database files can also opened with commonly used spreadsheet applications like Excel.
Database Directory Hierarchy
This database is organized as two-level hierarchy: sectors, pressure/ state/ response. The first level will contain 6 sub directories for 6 sectors namely energy, industrial processes, solvent and other product use, agriculture, landuse change and forestry, and waste. In addition to the sectoral directories 6 subdirectories (metadata, factors, models, projects, socioeco, and experts) are also included to accommodate the additional information. The second level contains 3 sub directories for pressure, state, and response variables. The hierarchical structure of the database is illustrated below:
