-------------- Original message --------------
From: Michael Henry <mhenry@ancientforest.org>

> Hi,
>
> I work at Ancient Forest Exploration & Research ( http://www.ancientforest.org/
> ) a charitable NGO based in Ontario. We're planning to produce an online
> database of old-growth forests in North America which will provide a central,
> standardized method for sharing knowledge about specific old-growth areas. This
> will be a free service, searchable through searchengines such as Google, and we
> hope content will be added by NGO and governmental organizations, with the
> option to link into their websites. To satisfy ourselves and our funding
> partner of the utility of this project, we want to get a sense of who will use
> the database. To that end could you take a moment to answer the following < BR>> question:
>
> ARE YOU LIKELY TO USE THIS DATABASE? Either by submitting information about
> old-growth forests and/or searching content submitted by others? I know that
> ENTS has been actively collecting data for a long time, and it would be nice to
> find some way for this database to be a benefit to your organization. What I
> would propose is making abreviated entries for old-growth sites that link back
> to information on the ENTS pages. Let us know if you think this database might
> be useful for old-growth forest conservation in your area.
>
> You may note that our organization's website has very high search rankings when
> searching for old growth forest or other related search terms, which will help
> ensure success of this database and (if you use the database) will assist in
> promoting old-growth forest conservation in your area since people will easily
> be able to find the information.
>
> BACKGROUND / DESCRIPTION:
>
> The database will include the following components.
>
> 1. A database of old-growth forest areas will be created including size,
> location, species composition, known ages, scientific studies, rare species,
> conservation status, etc. This database will be created as a searchable online
> resource. As a start, our own organization will be adding a large amount of
> data for hundreds of old-growth sites in Ontario, and a limited number of sites
> elsewhere.
>
> 2. An online form will allow users to upload new information to the database
> about either previously registered or new old-growth forest areas. This form
> will be accessed by specially created user accounts (for organizations or
> academics) or information could be submitted by the public but would need to
> pass through an approval process. Informa tion will likely be permanently linked
> to user profiles, to help evaluate the reliability of the information.
>
> 3. The online database will be offered and advertised to organizations and
> academics throughout North America, and possibly eventually the world. This
> will allow information to be shared far more effectively and will meet a number
> of conservation needs for academics, NGO’s, and the general public. At minimum,
> the database will include the following fields:
>
> · Name of the old-growth forest
> · Alternate name(s)
> · Size of old-growth area
> · Coordinates (Lat/Long, UTM)
> · Country
> · State / Province
> · Dominant tree(s) (checklist)
> · Tree species composition (checklist)
> · Average age
> · Known maximum ages (method of aging)
> · Description / overview
> · Rare species
> · Other special features
> · Conservation status
> · Conservation alert (for imminently endangered areas)
> · Photos
> · References / publications related to area
> · Weblinks
>
> DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? ARE THERE ANY OTHER FIELDS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE
> INCLUDED IN THIS DATABASE?
>
>
> Thank you
>
> Michael Henry
> Associate Ecologist and Webmaster,
> Ancient Forest Exploration and Research
> http://www.ancientforest.org/
> http://www.oldgrowth.ca/