A PEATLAND DATABASE FOR NORTHERN-IRELAND - METHODOLOGY AND POTENTIAL RESOURCE

Maps at 1:20,000 scale, showing peatland types in Northern Ireland, wh ich were derived by aerial photograph interpretation, have been conver ted into a database of areas of peatland types per 1km square, using t he Ordnance Survey grid. The proprietary Scientific Information and Re trieval database management system was used for primary data storage, PC ARC/INFO to store other data files and UNIRAS for mapping out. Thes e choices were based on data and computing resources available at the time and anticipated needs in making the database a resource for ongoi ng environmental research. The paper demonstrates that, using the data base, a variety of peatland types (variables), individually or in comb ination, can be analysed statistically and in maps; rare types can be located quickly and spatial patterns of common types described. Explan ations of such patterns start to emerge by analysis of the database an d can be pursued by Geographical Information Systems. The database can provide a context for changes to the peatland; an example is the prog ress of machine extraction. Use of a 1km square database is well suite d to regional scale analysis, and to complement the local detail of th e original peatland survey maps.