Work on the design of an ancient tree and rare plant information management system has been completed according to those who attended a recent meeting of the General Office of the National Forestation Committee under the State Council, China Green Times reported on February 20.

When operational the network management of ancient trees and rare plants around the country will be possible. 

The purpose of developing such a comprehensive system was to better manage and preserve the nation's ancient trees and rare plants. At the same time it provides an opportunity for information exchange between the General Office of the National Forestation Committee and offices at various local levels.

The system allows research of a certain rare species to be carried out using a statistical database and a geographic distribution map. An introduction about a particular plant, its category and distribution can easily be accessed using the system that displays plant information in relation to ecology, scientific research, humanities, geography and tourism. In addition the system offers scientific reference points on why protective measures are necessary.

The system has a four-tier administration -- at national, provincial, municipal and county levels. The forestation committees at county-level are responsible for collecting and maintaining the plant samples and feeding the information to other interested parties.

Information that can be found on the system includes documentary data on ancient trees, the GPS location, the age of particular trees, their variety, ownership, level of protection afforded them, records of transplantation, diseases and general history.

An 'expert database' has also been established using the system. This includes the name of an expert, age, contact way and field of research. The experts will be able to conduct on-line consultations on plant diseases. 

The system was designed by the Survey and Plan Designing Institute under the State Forestry Administration, entrusted by the National Forestation Committee.

(China.org.cn by Zhang Tingting, February 26, 2006)