The EUROHARP data management system

In scientific support to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the EC-funded EUROHARP project studies the harmonisation of tools to quantify nutrient losses from diffuse sources. Within such a project, effective data management is crucial to its success since all other activities draw from it. On the basis of data requirements for all quantification tools, a data protocol has been defined for the compilation, formatting and interchange of data. Detailed map and attribute data for more than 500 parameters, organised in 22 main themes, are collected from 17 catchments. Attribute data are quality checked and, if compliant with the protocol, inserted into a single database. The database maintains the link between attribute data and corresponding map features, for instance data on land management practices are linked to land management units (polygons) on the land management map. The map data and the database are the sources to a dedicated GIS-like application, which allows the user to inspect visually and in a harmonised manner across catchments; all data available in the database. The tool allows typical GIS operations and data drilldown through a cascaded sets of data tables. For time series and table data, graphing functionality has been provided, giving the user a synthesised view on the data. This tool which, developed using royalty free software, is also bundled with the data and is to be shipped to the ELTROHARP community to serve as a common data platform. This paper describes in detail the different elements of the Euroharp Data Management System and its potential to serve as a common platform for similar endeavours.