BALTICSEAWEB: An information system about the Baltic Sea environment

A database has been created containing currently more than 11 000 references to published information on environmental aspects of the Baltic Sea within the framework of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission. The database is accessible on the Internet with two types of user interfaces, a search form and geographic user interfaces. In addition to bibliographic information a number of original documents have been made available in electronic form so that the user cannot only retrieve bibliographic records but also original documents. The geographical user interfaces include a dynamic Java applet with a scaleable map and a more static clickable map. Owing to varying quality of Internet services available to the users both types of geographical user interfaces as well as a simple text-based search form are being supported. Further information on the GIS development project with access to the database can be found at http://www.baltic.vtt.fi.