uch, 
n to 
sion 
ions 
The 
pect 
ntire 
This 
iver 
riate 
ting 
ions 
| on 
that 
cial, 
ons) 
ated 
is a 
for 
/as 
of 
t in 
Crain, Ian 
  
The current level of capacity and technology in environmental information management and exchange in the six 
countries varies considerably, but the following summarises the common needs: 
- tools to assist in the analysis of environmental data (such as GIS, image analysis, modelling software) 
- training in the use and application of these tools for analysis, problem solving and high level decision making. 
- tools to assist in information integration and exchange (such as telecommunications, satellite data exchange, 
databases for large datasets, data communication and exchange software) 
- supporting materials for effective data integration (such as data standards, transfer formats, metadata formats) 
- training in the methods of data integration (such as data management and exchange policies and procedures) 
- methods and facilities to present integrated information to decision makers. 
3 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE SUBREGION 
No single framework is accepted as the ideal for organising or expressing "issues". For this project, a country-by- 
country analysis was undertaken through a consultation process with senior decision makers in all of the six countries. 
Although each country clearly had different needs and priorities, a group of issues stand out as common to most nations 
in the Subregion. With some generalisation, Figure 1 tabulates the identified issues of concern for each country. The 
first seven of these, common to at least 4 countries can be considered the key common environmental issues of the 
GMS, and formed the basis for determining the core datasets and system functionality. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Issue Cambodia China Laos Myanmar Thailand Vietnam 
(Yunnan) 
1. Deforestation au E = = = = 
2. Inland Water Quality u m ü = W 
3. Land Degradation/Unsustainable E B E m m 
Agriculture 
4. Water Diversion = = = E 
5. Urban Air Quality m m E m 
6. Waste Management = m m = 
7. Loss of Biodiversity E m = E 
Coastal Zone Degradation iud u € 
Natural Hazards m = E 
Marine Water Quality m | 
Wetlands Degradation E 
Acid Rain a 
Water Transport = 
Toxic Waste Transport y 
Fisheries Management a 
  
Figure 1: Environmental Issues by Country 
  
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXIII, Part B7. Amsterdam 2000. 289