Permaculture Database

[Paul Cereghino <paul.cereghino@comcast.net>]

> Hierarchy just isn't going to map well (or rather, allow reality to
> map well).
>  
This has been repeated by others.  I know I am confused and others may 
be as well.  Is there a specific table and relationship structure that 
you db-designers think of when I say hierarchy?  Are there basic 
alternative models of adding attributes to objects that need to be 
selected among?!

for example..... [The Chicken]

what are the different data structure choices... not for describing the 
relationship of the chicken to other objects... but of describing the 
characteristics of the chicken.... size, longevity, lifeform, breed, etc...

What are the alternatives?