publications, we can predict many different sources of digital data in the future. We hope that some 
of these sources will improve the technology of data quality, integration, review/certification, 
documentation, and accessibility. 
SUMMARY 
Merely designing a database within a small circle of experts, producing it, and distributing it on the 
World Wide Web has been shown to be inadequate for producing peer-reviewed, viable integrable 
global data sets. A wider involvement of the global scientific community is required. The Global 
Change Data Base has made some progress toward wider involvement in database development and 
integration. However, there is still room for progress. 
References 
Clark, David M., Hastings, David A., and Kineman, John J., 1991. Global databases and their 
implications for GIS. IN Maguire, David J., Goodchild, Michael F., and Rhind, David W., 
eds., Geographical Information Systems: Overview, Principles and Applications. Burnt 
Mill, Essex, United Kingdom, Longman. V.2, pp. 217-231. 
Gallo, K. P., 1992. Experimental global vegetation index from AVHRR utilizing pre-launch 
calibration, cloud and sun-angle screening. Digital Data. National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder, Colorado. 
Hastings, David A., and Liping Di, 1994. Modeling of global change phenomena with GIS using 
the Global Change Data Base. Remote Sensing of Environment, July 1994, pp. 1-24. 
Hastings, David A., Kineman, John J., and Clark, David D., 1991. Development and application of 
global data bases: considerable progress, but more collaboration needed. International 
Journal of Geographical Information Systems, v. 5., pp. 137-146. 
Kineman, J. J., Clark, D. M., and Croze, H., 1990. Data integration and modelling for global 
change: An international experiment. Proceedings of the International Conference and 
Workshop on Global Natural Resource Monitoring and Assessments: Preparing for the 21st 
Century (Venice, Italy, 24-30 September 1989). Bethesda, Maryland, American Society of 
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Vol. 2, pp. 660-669 
NOAA, 1992. Global Change Data Base, Digital Data with Documentation. Boulder, Colorado, 
. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
The C: 
of Eng 
allows 
now 3 
raster 
bioma 
Color 
aroun 
ROM 
structi 
ASCI 
Additi 
be #6 
Cente 
develc 
Arc/Ir 
large, 
This 
sets, t