Plant Taxonomy Database from the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC)

Its variable-length architecture allows it to store up to 64 Kb of data per field or record as well as multiple values within a field when desirable. BG-BASE maintains ca 50 indexes simultaneously to facilitate data retrieval and to establish relationships between elements in different files. Although character-based, it provides mouse support, pull-down menus, and popup select lists, and it can be queries either by Advanced Revelation's native query language or by SQL.

Further information about BG-BASE can be obtained from its designer, Kerry S. Walter at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (kwalter@rbge.org.uk). Currently, WCMC maintains the largest combination of records of plant names, distributions, and data sources of any BG-BASE site (or of any other plant conservation organization anywhere). LANGUAGE: English STATISTICAL INFORMATION: ACCESS AND DISTRIBUTION: WCMC makes information available through published media, through provision of datasets, and through the provision of either standard or customised reports.

WCMC is committed to the principle of the free exchange of data with other institutions and users. In so far as is practical, it places its data in the public domain and encourages their wide distribution. However, costs may be incurred in accessing and distributing datasets, and where analysis and assessment provide an added-value service.

Such costs are passed on to the user.