A Database Model for Integrating
and Facilitating Collaborative Ethnomedicinal Research
Michael B. Thomas1,
Nan Lin2 and Howard
W. Beck3
Abstract: A model
for a database system that provides a standardized environment
for submission, storage, and retrieval of ethnomedicinal data
was developed. The model is based on object oriented database
technology, and is suitable for not only storing data, digital
images, sound and video, but also for modeling domain knowledge
associated with plant-based medicinal preparations utilized
in systems of traditional medicine. The model incorporates both
linguistic and semantic elements. Terms in natural language
are mapped to database objects that represent knowledge in various
ethnomedicinal domains. The distributed object infrastructure
permits integration with other authoritative taxonomic databases
and includes an interface capable of supporting existing and
emerging standards of data. The model provides a foundation
for a globally current dynamic data resource that encourages
comparative ethnomedicinal research through direct contributions
by members of the research community. Examples of integrated
domain models are presented incorporating medical terminology,
plant systematics, ecology, and pharmacology.
Keywords: ethnomedicine, ethnopharmacology, medicinal plants,
ethnobotany, object database, Java, Internet.
1 Department of Botany, University
of Florida, PO Box 118526, Gainesville, FL 32611-8526, Fax:
(352) 392-3993, mthomas@botany.ufl.edu
2 Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Institute
of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville,
FL 32611-8526, (352) 392-3797, nlin@ufl.edu
3 Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Institute
of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville,
FL 32611-8526, (352) 392-3797, hwb@agen.ufl.edu
