1- STUDY OF EXISTING RESOURCES 
The work indicated above, slightly updated, revealed two categories of partners likely to be interested in 
the project: centers that produce computerized databases, and centers with non-computerized 
documentary resources. A survey concerning the existing resources and their potential was sent to 30 
organizations who were invited to indicate their degree of interest in the project and to describe their 
resources. This frequently led to requests for further information, either by telephone or by visits. The 
questionnaire results have been analyzed, providing information on the documentary resources held, 
and on actual access to source documents, the existence of computerized databases and projects, the 
documentary tools used, and/or being designed, the services provided and the interest in participation 
in a future producers' network. 
1.1 - Computerized databases 
1.1.1 - Computerized databases in general 
This category covers major producers, the majority of whom generate very large, multidisciplinary 
information systems. The RESORS database in Canada is the only file dealing exclusively with remote 
sensing and photogrammetry. It contains 60,000 items (articles (4796), papers read at symposia (26%), 
theses (15%) and manuals (11%)}, and 6,500 slides. Some 94% of the records are in English. 
In view of the richness of RESORS, and the fact that the database is presently available on the main 
Canadian host only, close collaboration with the Canadian center to achieve greater dissemination seems 
essential. 
The CDST-CNRS, the French producer of PASCAL, scans the majority of the main journals dealing with 
remote sensing. At the end of 1987, the file contained over 16,000 remote sensing records, mainly 
oriented toward earth sciences. 
Mention must also be made of GEOBASE, the online GeoAbstracts file with over 8000 records in part G 
(Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry and Cartography) alone. 
COMPENDEX, dealing largely with engineering, has 7800 remote sensing records. 
The multidisciplinary NASA database, basically aerospace, contained over 7000 remote sensing records 
in 1987. 
NTIS, also multidisciplinary, covering aeronautics and the earth sciences, contains over 7000 records. 
INSPEC is oriented toward electronics and computers, but now has over 8000 remote sensing records. 
1.1.2 - Specific databases 
Specific databases each with several thousand remote sensing records include GEOREF (dedicated to 
geology and earth sciences), AGRIS (FAO) in agriculture, TULSA (US) in energy, ASFA in water 
resources and marine issues, and Water Resources Abstract (water and water resources). Another 
group of databases each contain under 3000 records: these include GEOLINE (geology, FRG), CAB 
(agriculture, GB), AGRICOLA, and IBISCUS (dedicated to developing countries). 
1.2 - Non-computerized databases 
(NB: the scope of the discussion is restricted to the centers that answered our questionnaire) 
The ITC has significant dedicated resources, and in particular some 800 theses or reports. It scans 37 
journals of the 93 we surveyed. 
The GDTA also has resources comprising papers read at the different symposia it organizes, documents 
and grey literature (some 120 DESS students’ study reports), and 400 technical reports. The GDTA also 
receives the major remote sensing journals. 
The IGN (Institut National Géographique frangais) already possesses its own computerized database of 
over 8000 records, including photogrammetry data, forming part of a wider system comprising 60,000 
works and approximately 2000 theses and 500 technical reports. 
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