FEDERAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA COMMITTEE

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 590 NATIONAL CENTER

RESTON, VIRGINIA 20192 HTTP:// WWW.FGDC.GOV

PHONE: 703-648-5514

FAX: 703-648-5755

EMAIL: GDC@USGS.GOV

October 1999

Development of data standards to support discovery,

comparison, exchange, and integration of biological

thematic data sets through the National Spatial Data

Infrastructure (NSDI) and the complementary

National Biological Information Infrastructure

(NBII) is one of the primary areas of emphasis of the

Federal Geographic Data Committees (FGDC)

Biological Data Working Group. In November 1998

the Working Group initiated the process to develop a

new FGDC data standard for biological

nomenclature and taxonomy.

Need for a Data Standard: Many biological data

sets (e.g., data sets on current and historic

distributions of rare species or invasive species

within a certain State) include some data on the

scientific names (nomenclature) and/or common

(vernacular) names and associated classification

(taxonomy) of the species and/or higher taxonomic

groups (genera, families, etc.) which are the focus of

the data set. Biological systematics is a complex

and dynamic science and scientific perspectives on

nomenclature and classification are in a constant

state of flux. Because of this, many species have

been assigned two or more different scientific names

and associated classifications by different

specialists. The application of common names to

organisms is even less consistent and thus more

complex.

The Working Group is developing a new FGDC data

standard that can be used to help support exchange

and comparison of biological and/or geospatial data

sets in the NSDI/NBII data federation. The

proposed standard will provide a consistent

reference system or database framework for

maintaining and representing dynamic, scientifically

credible biological taxonomy and nomenclature

information. This information can then be used as

needed as a consistent reference source for aiding in

the discovery, comparison, exchange, and integration

of biological and geospatial data sets from many

different distributed sources. Individual species

names or classifications will not be standardized in

this effort and the proposed standard will not

constitute or create (or require the use of ) a single,

non-dynamic listing of biological species names and

associated classifications. Mechanisms for

incorporating and tracking changes in biological

nomenclature and taxonomy, and which allow for

multiple names and classifications to be represented,

will also be an important part of the proposed

standard.

The proposed standard will also support the

implementation of the existing FGDC Vegetation

Classification Standard, the FGDC Wetlands

Classification Standard, and the Biological Data

Profile of the FGDC Content Standard for Digital

Geospatial Metadata, as well as other biologically

related FGDC standards, by serving as the standard

reference for biological nomenclature and taxonomy

information for use in these FGDC standards.

Standard Development Process and Participants:

The Working Group will form an appropriate team

of experts (standard development team) to develop

the draft standard. The standard development team

will include qualified individuals from both inside

and outside the Federal government. The team will

Proposed FGDC Biological Nomenclature and

Taxonomy Data Standard
For More Information

Visit the FGDC Biological Data Working Group web site

at:

 http://biology.usgs.gov/fgdc.bio/index.html

Or learn more about the National Biological Information

Infrastructure program at:

http://www.nbii.gov

Or contact: Anne Frondorf

Executive Secretary,

FGDC Biological Data Working Group

U.S. Geological Survey

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., MS 300

Reston, VA 20192

(703) 648-4205

Fax: 648-4224

anne_frondorf@usgs.gov

include individuals who are qualified and

experienced in the field of biological systematics; as

well as individuals who are experienced in

biological informatics issues, including data

standards development; and individuals who are

familiar with existing related FGDC standards (such

as the FGDC Vegetation Classification Standard)

and with the FGDC standards process.

Several existing cooperative activities and groups

are operating programs to develop and provide

access to information on standardized credible

nomenclatures and taxonomies for specific

biological groups of interest. In developing the

proposed standard, the standard development team

and the Working Group will review, consider, and

utilize existing sources, data systems, procedures,

and protocols for biological names and taxonomy,

i.e., the proposed standard will adequately reflect

and incorporate existing systems and materials. In

addition, the standard development team and the

Working Group will actively solicit the involvement,

input, and participation of representatives of as

many of these ongoing related groups and activities

as possible throughout all stages of the standard

development process.