AbstractThe Selection of GIS Software to Map Living Plant Collections Track: Using GIS in Libraries & Museums Author(s): Shelley Hendershot Botanical gardens, as stewards of living plant collections, are given the duty of managing the historical and geographical data concerning their collection. This study is written for institutions that already have a computerized database in place and are seeking information on choosing a computerized mapping system. This study lists the database and mapping software system combinations currently in use at 49 botanical institutions. Plant mapping professionals rank a series of 20 questions on the importance of computerized mapping software to the institutional needs. The three software packages most commonly utilized by botanical gardens were Esri, AutoCAD and BG-Map. These were then evaluated on a point-by-point basis of the same 20 questions to determine which software options most completely fulfill the garden users’ stated desires. The study makes these answers available for gardens to use in the selection process of their own mapping system. Shelley Hendershot University of Delaware Agriculture/Longwood Graduate Program 11 Split Rail Lane Newark, DE 19702 US Phone: 302-738-4047 E-mail: shelleyaug6@yahoo.com |