EFIS a study carried out by EFI consortium for the Joint Research Centre / Space Applications Institute under Contract No F1ED ISP F. in support to the EFICS regulation (UE/CEE No. 1615/89).

EFIS principles:  Utilising the existing data sources  Distributed databases.  The data will stay with the provider Voluntary contributions Labelling the data with metadata  Use of Internet User designed analysis

EFICS study 1996: EFIS principle 2001

User 4.Data/ information A 3.Metadata $ 4.Data/ information B 4.Data/ information C 4.Data/ information D 4.Data/ information E 5.Housekeeping functions - information server  Assisting information Server  Data/information  Resource Discovery and Analysis  Metadata Internet Resource Discovery. Analysis Toolbox

User 4.Data/ information A 3.Metadata $ 4.Data/ information B 4.Data/ information C 4.Data/ information D 4.Data/ information E 5.Housekeeping functions - information server Resource Discovery. Analysis Toolbox 3.Metadata 4.Data/ information D 1. Data provision

User 4.Data/ information A 3.Metadata $ 4.Data/ information B 4.Data/ information C 4.Data/ information D 4.Data/ information E 5.Housekeeping functions - information server Resource Discovery. Analysis Toolbox User Analysis Toolbox Resource Discovery 3.Metadata Discovery 3.Metadata 4.Data/ information B Resource Discovery Analysis Toolbox Resource Discovery Resource Discovery 2.

User 4.Data/ information A 3.Metadata $ 4.Data/ information B 4.Data/ information C 4.Data/ information D 4.Data/ information E 5.Housekeeping functions - information server Resource Discovery Analysis Toolbox 3.Metadata Analysis Toolbox 3. Analysis toolbox 4.Data/ information B User 3.Metadata Resource Discovery Analysis Toolbox

Information Types Examples Statistical data in data sources Spatial data – both vector and raster Textual statistical and pictorial data in documents etc.

EFIS link to Global Forest Information Services: IUFRO GFIS Task Force and Special Programme GFIS