Distributing GIS capabilities to forestry field offices: benefits and challenges

摘要

Distributing the analytical and map production capabilities of a geographic information system (GIS) to field offices benefits staff in many ways, including facilitating more informed and timely management decisions. Forest management organizationsmay encounter problems in shifting GIS functions from a central office to field offices, however. Success depends on the readiness of field office staff, the extent of database availability, access to the necessary technology (hardware and software), anddegree of organizational commitment to the distributed-GIS approach.