It is the object-oriented spatial-temporal model that breaks the limitations of relational models.The model directly supports object-oriented nesting and variable-length records.Therefore

with the incorporation of object-oriented database into object-relational database

the latter performs better in retrieving

updating and storing of the complex geographical data.In fact

the advanced characteristics of the objectorient-ed spatial-temporal model can be readily adapted for building geo-databases with a vast amount of information from various sources.For examp-le

a rocky desertification database often includes multiple sources and massive data with relative little variability.The spatial-temporal database system for rocky desertification is developed as an object-relational database system.Referring to the system structure of SQL Serve 2000

adopting the SDE administrator command method with ArcSDE data engine interface

and using component object model library of ArcGIS Engine 9.2

seamless integration of the spatial data warehousing and complete client-side GIS development and applications were realized in Microsoft VB 6.0circumstance.As a result

a spatial-temporal database aiming at rocky desertification and remote sensing is built up with C/S operated mode.In conclusion

the database system achieves four major functions

including(1)map searching

spatial analysis and result display-ing of rocky desertification land degradation;(2)information searching in regard to rocky desertification along with statistical analysis and data tabulation by using attribute database;(3)real-time database updating with remote sensing database(4) forecasting rocky desertification and land degradation using algorithmic models.