RIRDC - Research Compendium 1993

Rural Industries
Research & Development Corporation

Research Compendium 1993 - 1994

Research Project

REX 95: A NON-SPECIALIST TREE INFORMATION DATABASE

Objectives

To develop, evaluate and market a tree information database suitable for non-specialist users.
To tap existing technical databases as an information source.

Background

Revegetation activity around Australia is rapidly expanding and placing heavy demand on all sources of tree information. In particular, agency extension staff are hard pressed to meet requests for often quite routine information. Scientific and technical tree performance databases are developing but need interpretation and more friendly presentation before being suitable for non-specialist users.

The abundance of information and the emerging multi-media capability of computers provides the opportunity to develop a comprehensive and efficient revegetation information system for general use.

Outcome

REX 95 has 2000 species and 800 fields and operates in a Windows environment. The system incorporates expert knowledge in the form of Tours, Wizards and Knowledge Base. It has more than 400 high quality colour photographs of species. User evaluation is nearly complete and indicates that REX should appeal to both specialist and non-specialist home, farm, industry and professional users. Release is scheduled for winter 1995. The release version will have a southern Australian focus.

Agreements have been concluded for marketing and maintenance of REX. A large proportion of revenue will be reinvested in further data collection with the aim of producing an annual version. The Western Australian state agencies (Conservation and Land Management, Department of Agriculture, Greening Western Australia) manage REX. A national forum will be constituted to guide future development.

Implications

If the first release version of REX is commercially successful it should stimulate a vigorous national forum to oversee rapid expansion in coverage and capability. the aim will be to develop a widely used national revegetation information system.

RIRDC Project No: CAL-1A

PROJECT MANAGEMENT: John Bartle, Dept of Cons & Land Mgt

PO Box 104, COMO WA 6152

Ph: 09 334 0321

Fx: 09 334 0327

RESEARCH/TECHNICAL: David Bicknell, Department of Agriculture WA

10 Doney Street, NARROGIN WA 6312

Ph: 098 81 0228

Fx: 098 81 1950

SOFTWARE/MARKETING: Tom Brown, Robin Road Software

59 Robin Road, SEMAPHORE SA 5019

Ph: 08 242 0250