XML as a tool to simplify information exchange in forest planning

An easy information exchange is essential to face global-scale problems such as a sustainable forest management, global changes or biodiversity protection. A more efficient data integration is especially relevant in Italy, where jurisdiction on forest planning is entrusted to local administrations, such as regions, provinces and mountain communities. Each local administration has independently adopted their own procedures for harvesting inventory information, forcing both technicians and end-users to the use of specific software. This has generated a disarray of procedures and data formats in the field, calling for shared protocols of data exchange. Recently, the increase of information exchange through internet has brought about the adoption of shared protocols for data exchange. XML is one of these protocol that facilitate information exchange among databases and makes data easily accessible to end-users. We developed a specific software called PDA that allows to browse, maintain and search a database of forest management data regardless of the features and the configuration of the end user computer. The software combines a user friendly interface with an efficient data engine.