Federal Geographic Data Committee

Department of Agriculture • Department of Commerce • Department of Defense • Department of Energy

Department of Housing and Urban Development • Department of the Interior • Department of State

Department of Transportation • Environmental Protection Agency

Federal Emergency Management Agency • Library of Congress

National Aeronautics and Space Administration • National Archives and Records Administration

Tennessee Valley Authority

FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 

Part 1: Biological Data Profile 

Biological Data Working Group 

Federal Geographic Data Committee

and USGS Biological Resources Division

October 1999
1-ii

Federal Geographic Data Committee

Established by Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, the Federal Geographic Data Committee

(FGDC) promotes the coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination of geographic data.

The FGDC is composed of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense,

Energy, Housing and Urban Development, the Interior, State, and Transportation; the Environmental

Protection Agency; the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the Library of Congress; the National

Aeronautics and Space Administration; the National Archives and Records Administration; and the

Tennessee Valley Authority. Additional Federal agencies participate on FGDC subcommittees and

working groups. The Department of the Interior chairs the committee.

FGDC subcommittees work on issues related to data categories coordinated under the circular. 

Subcommittees establish and implement standards for data content, quality, and transfer; encourage the

exchange of information and the transfer of data; and organize the collection of geographic data to reduce

duplication of effort. Working groups are established for issues that transcend data categories.

For more information about the committee, or to be added to the committee's newsletter mailing list,

please contact:

Federal Geographic Data Committee Secretariat

c/o U.S. Geological Survey

590 National Center

Reston, Virginia 20192

Telephone: (703) 648-5514

Facsimile: (703) 648-5755

Internet (electronic mail): fgdc@www.fgdc.gov

Anonymous FTP: ftp://www.fgdc.gov/pub/gdc/

World Wide Web: http://www.fgdc.gov/fgdc.html

The following is the recommended bibliographic citation for this publication:

FGDC Biological Data Working Group, and USGS Biological Resources Division. 1999. Content

Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata - Biological Data Profile, FGDC-STD-001.1-1999 Federal

Geographic Data Committee. Washington, D.C.
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-iii

CONTENTS

Page

1.1 INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

1.1.1 Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

1.1.2 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

1.1.3 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

1.1.4 Related Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

1.1.5 Standards Development Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

1.1.6 Maintenance Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

1.2 ELEMENTS OF THE CONTENT STANDARD FOR DIGITAL GEOSPATIAL METADATA

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

1.3 CHANGES TO THE CONTENT STANDARD FOR DIGITAL GEOSPATIAL METADATA

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

1.3.1 Conditionality Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

Spatial_Domain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

1.3.2 Domain Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Currentness_Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Browse_Graphic_Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Logical_Consistency_Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

Type_of_Source_Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

Source_Currentness_Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

Format_Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

Metadata_Standard_Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

1.4 EXTENDED ELEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

Description_of_Geographic_Extent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17

Bounding_Altitudes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18

Altitude_Minimum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18

Altitude_Maximum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18

Taxonomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19

Keywords/Taxon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19

Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20

Taxonomic_Keywords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20

Taxonomic_System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21

Classification_System/Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21

Classification_System_Citation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22

Classification_System_Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22

Identification_Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23

Identifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23

Taxonomic_Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24

Taxonomic_Completeness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24

Vouchers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25

Specimen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
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Repository . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26

General_Taxonomic_Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26

Taxonomic_Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27

Taxon_Rank_Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28

Taxon_Rank_Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29

Applicable_Common_Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29

Analytical_Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30

Analytical_Tool_Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30

Tool_Access_Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31

Tool_Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31

Tool_Citation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31

Tool_Access_Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32

Tool_Computer_and_Operating_System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32

Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33

Methodology_Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33

Methodology_Identifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34

Methodology_Keyword_Thesaurus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34

Methodology_Keyword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-35

Methodology_Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-35

Methodology_Citation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-36

ASCII_File_Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-36

Record_Delimiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-37

Number_Header_Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-37

Description_of_Header_Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-38

Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-38

Case_Sensitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-39

Authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-39

Quote_Character . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-40

Data_Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-40

Data_Field_Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-41

Missing_Value_Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-41

Data_Field_Width_Delimiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-42

Data_Field_Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-42

Beginning_Geologic_Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-43

Ending_Geologic_Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-43

Geologic_Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-44

Geologic_Time_Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-45

Geologic_Age_Estimate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-46

Geologic_Age_Uncertainty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-47

Geologic_Age_Explanation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-47

Geologic_Citation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-48

1.5 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-49

1.6 INDEX TO EXTENDED AND MODIFIED ELEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-51

1.7 APPENDIX 1.A (INFORMATIVE) GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-53
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Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

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1.1 INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL

1.1.1 Objective 

The objective of the profile is to provide a common set of terminology and definitions for the

documentation of biological data through the creation of extended elements and a profile of the

FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata. 

1.1.2 Scope 

This profile is intended to support the collection and processing of biological data. It is intended

to be useable by all levels of government and the private sector.

The profile was developed by defining information required by a prospective user to determine

the availability of a set of biological data; to determine the fitness of a set of biological data for an

intended use; to determine the means of accessing the set of biological data; and to successfully

transfer the set of biological data. As such, the profile establishes the names of extended data

elements and compound elements (groups of data elements) to be used for documenting

biological data, the definitions of these extended compound elements and data elements, and

information about the values to be provided for the data elements. The profile also describes any

modifications to the optionality or repeatability of non-mandatory elements and any

modifications to the domains of standard elements in the FGDC’s Content Standard for Digital

Geospatial Metadata. 

The standard is not intended to reflect an implementation design. An implementation design

requires adapting the structure and form of the profile to meet application requirements. The

profile does not specify the means by which this information is organized in a computer system

or in a data transfer, nor the means by which this information is transmitted, communicated, or

presented to the user.

1.1.3 Applicability 

Executive Order 12906, “Coordinating Geographic Data Acquisition and Access: The National

Spatial Data Infrastructure,” was signed on April 11, 1994, by President William Clinton. 

Section 3, Development of a National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse, paragraph (b) states:

“Standardized Documentation of Data. Beginning 9 months from the date of this order, each

agency shall document all new geospatial data it collects or produces, either directly or indirectly,

using the standard under development by the FGDC, for documenting, to the extent practicable,

geospatial data previously collected or produced, either directly or indirectly, and making that

data documentation electronically accessible to the Clearinghouse network.” This is an official

profile of the data documentation standard referenced in the executive order. It is designed to

document biological data sets, both geospatial and non-geospatial in nature.

In addition to use by the Federal Government, the FGDC invites and encourages organizations

and persons from State, local, and tribal governments, the private sector, and non-profit
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organizations to use the profile to document their biological data. A major difficulty in the data

community is the lack of information that helps prospective users to determine what data exist,

the fitness of existing data for planned applications, and the conditions for accessing existing

data, and the transfer of data to a user’s system. This profile, developed with the aid of public

participation, will help to ease these problems and to develop the National Spatial Data

Infrastructure, National Information Infrastructure, and National Biological Information

Infrastructure.

1.1.4 Related Standards 

The Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata was developed to identify and define the

metadata elements used to document digital geospatial data sets for many purposes. These

include metadata to: 1) preserve the meaning and value of a data set; 2) contribute to a catalog or

clearinghouse and; 3) aid in data transfer. The Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard

for Digital Geospatial Metadata was developed to identify and define the metadata elements used

to document biological data sets for the same purposes. Since biological data sets can be either

geospatial or non-geospatial in their nature, the Biological Data Profile is designed to be used to

document both geospatial and non-geospatial data sets. As a profile, all the requirements of the

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata must be met for any geospatial biological data

set. The Biological Data Profile extends the use of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial

Metadata into documenting non-geospatial data sets, when biological in nature. Because some

data elements required for documenting geospatial data sets may be of marginal use or possibly

even misleading in documenting non-geospatial data holdings, under these conditions, these

data elements may contain a phrase such as “not applicable”. 

The Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) was developed to allow the transfer of digital spatial

data sets between spatial data software. Since the SDTS is a standard for data transfer, its

primary metadata content is used to determine the fitness of a geospatial data set for the user’s

purpose. There is a close relationship between the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial

Metadata and its associated profiles with the SDTS metadata elements contained in the Data

Quality module, and in other locations inside of the SDTS transfer set. Since the Content

Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata and its profiles contain metadata used to search for

digital spatial data sets through a clearinghouse (metadata for locating, describing access, use,

and distribution), these elements may not be contained in an SDTS transfer set. Since the

Biological Data Profile is designed to accommodate the documentation of biological data sets

which are not necessarily geospatial, these particular metadata will likely never be transferred via

an SDTS transfer.

The June 8, 1994 FGDC Metadata Standard was used as the base document for the International

Organization for Standards (ISO) 15046 Part 15, Geographic information - Part 15: Metadata. 

When this profile was prepared, ISO 15046-15 was a Committee Draft and subject to significant

change before final approval. 
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Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

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1.1.5 Standards Development Process 

The National Biological Information Initiative (NBII) is dedicated to the collaborative

development of an electronic "federation" of biological data and information sources to make

data and information on biological resources more accessible for more people. The goal of the

NBII is to provide swift user access to biological databases, information products, and analysis

tools maintained by Federal, State, and local government agencies, non-government institutions,

and private sector organizations in the United States and around the world. Thus the NBII

promotes the availability of biological information and its associated documentation on the

internet. The NBII and NSDI programs are complementary, and cooperate on common standards

and protocols, partnerships with many Federal and non-Federal groups, and support for projects

and activities that help increase access to biological and geospatial information. The FGDC

Biological Data Working Group was established to help facilitate and promote these linkages.

To provide a standardized method for documenting biological data and information, an ad hoc

working group met in November 1994 to develop a “strawman” metadata standard. The original

strawman standard was created for documenting data and information considered non-spatial,

and thus not being documented using the FGDC’s Content Standards for Digital Geospatial

Metadata. The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), the national umbrella

organization of fifty biological societies, convened a workshop of national experts in the

biological sciences to peer review and recommend modifications to the “strawman” metadata

standard. This workshop was held May 16 and 17, 1995. Participants reviewed the content of

the NBII’s strawman Metadata Standard for Non-Geospatial Data to assure completeness and

utility of the content from the biological science perspective. The AIBS review strongly endorsed

refocusing from “non-geospatial” data sets to “Biological resource” data sets, regardless of their

geospatial or non-geospatial characteristics. The resulting draft standard, the Content Standard

for NBII Metadata, allowed the use of Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata with

data elements appropriate for documenting a biological data set, regardless of whether it is

geospatial or non-geospatial in nature. The draft NBII Metadata Standard was presented three

times to the FGDC Standards Working Group. In February 1996, the Standards Working Group

supported the interim implementation of the “Content Standard for NBII Metadata”. In February

1997 the Standards Working Group approved the NBII Metadata Standard as being in Draft

Stage. 

In 1998, with the revision of the FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata, and

the clarification of the profile creation process, the FGDC Biological Data Working Group

supported the revision of the NBII Metadata standard into a profile of the Content Standard for

Digital Geospatial Metadata. It was released for public review in July 1998.

May 26, 1999, the FGDC Biological Data Working Group brought an issue before the FGDC

Standards Working Group related to the Biological Data Profile. In essence, the BDWG would

like to encourage standardized documentation of all types of biological data and information, in

particular by using the Biological Data Profile. To support this effort, the Biological Data Profile

must include the ability to document datasets and information products that are not explicitly

geospatial. In order to do this, the BDWG would choose not to enforce the mandatory nature of

Spatial_Domain, instead establishing this element as "mandatory-if-applicable." Under this

designation, the Spatial_Domain would continue to be mandatory if the dataset or information
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Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

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product being documented is geospatial; only if the dataset or information product does not

display the characteristic of geospatial extent would the requirement for Spatial_Domain be

waived. This designation would be contradictory to the rules of profile development which say

that the conditionality of an element cannot be made less stringent than that imposed by the

Standard. The FGDC Standards Working Group agreed to this change in profile rules, with the

understanding that only non-geospatial datasets would have less stringent conditionality

requirements.

1.1.6 Maintenance Authority 

The current maintenance authority for the profile is the USGS Biological Resources Division. 

Questions concerning the profile should be addressed to: Biological Data Profile Questions, c/o

USGS Center for Biological Informatics, Biological Resources Division, P.O. Box 25046, DFC,

MS 302, Denver, CO 80225-0046. Copies of this publication are available from the Federal

Geographic Data Committee Secretariat, in care of the U.S. Geological Survey, 590 National

Center, Reston, Virginia 20192; telephone (703) 648-5514; facsimile (703) 648-5755; Internet

(electronic mail) fgdc@www.fgdc.gov. The text also is available from anonymous File Transfer

Protocol (anonymous ftp) server www.fgdc.gov and at the FGDC web site

http://www.fgdc.gov/Metadata/Metadata.html.
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Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

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1.2 ELEMENTS OF THE CONTENT STANDARD FOR DIGITAL GEOSPATIAL METADATA 

All the standard elements of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata are available

for use in the Biological Data Profile. All the mandatory elements from the Content Standard for

Digital Geospatial Metadata must be provided in a metadata document compliant with the

CSDGM Profile for Biological Data. The only exception to this is the element Spatial_Domain

becomes mandatory if applicable in the Biological Data Profile. Under this designation, the

element Spatial_Domain would continue to be mandatory if the dataset or information product

being documented is geospatial; only if the dataset or information product does not display the

characteristic of geospatial extent would the requirement for Spatial_Domain be waived. 
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1.3 CHANGES TO THE CONTENT STANDARD FOR DIGITAL GEOSPATIAL METADATA

1.3.1 Conditionality Changes

Due to the extension of the use of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata into the

use for documenting biological data sets in general, some changes to the conditionality of

standard elements are required. These changes are detailed below, using the numbering scheme

found in the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata, The content includes the element

name, the change as defined in the profile, the modified production rules, and in addition, the set

of information as defined for extended elements.

1.5 Spatial_Domain

Within this profile, the element “Spatial_Domain” has been redefined as mandatory if

applicable. 

Identification_Information =

Citation +

Description +

Time_Period_of_Content +

Status +

0{Spatial_Domain}1 +

Keywords +

0{Taxonomy}1 +

Access_Constraints +

Use_Constraints +

(Point_of_Contact) +

(1{Browse_Graphic}n) +

(Data_Set_Credit) +

(Security_Information) +

(Native_Data_Set_Environment) +

(1{Cross_Reference}n) +

0{Analytical_Tool}n

Conditionality_Change:

Name: Spatial_Domain

Short_Name: spdom

Type: compound

Parent: Identification_Information

Optionality: mandatory if applicable

Definition: the geographic areal domain of the data set.

Rationale: 

Many biological datasets are not in any manner related to maps, or

geospatial location. They neither contain geospatial references nor are

they collected in a geospatial location that is relevant to their use or

interpretation. Laboratory studies would be examples of nongeospatial datasets (e.g., a laboratory study of reproductive behavior in
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response to temperature change, or controlled toxicity testing on fish,

aquatic larvae, and invertebrates, or environmental enrichment data

for non-human primates). Having non-geospatial datasets returned as

products of a spatial search would be inaccurate, a misrepresentation

of the datasets, and would degrade the utility of the National Spatial

Data Infrastructure. For these reasons, the Spatial_Domain element

becomes "mandatory-if-applicable" within this profile. Under this

designation, the element Spatial_Domain would continue to be

mandatory if the dataset or information product being documented is

geospatial; only if the dataset or information product does not display

the characteristic of geospatial extent would the requirement for

Spatial_Domain be waived. 

Source:

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS

Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

8.6 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form

Within this profile, the element “Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form” is defined as

mandatory. 

Citation_Information =

1{Originator}n +

Publication_Date +

(Publication_Time) +

Title +

0{Edition}1 +

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form +

0{Series_Information}1 +

0{Publication_Information}1 +

0{Other_Citation_Details}1 +

(1{Online_Linkage}n) +

0{Larger_Work_Citation}1

Conditionality_Change:

Name: Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form

Short_Name: geoform

Type: text

Domain: see domain changes page 1-12

Parent: Citation_Information

Optionality: mandatory

Definition: The mode in which the geospatial data are represented. 

Rationale: 

With documentation of information products that are not explicitly

geospatial, searchers for information via metadata need to be able to

identify whether they are retrieving a data set or other product. By

making Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form mandatory, metadata
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Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-9

creators must provide some description of the form of the data being

documented.

Source:

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS

Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

1.3.2 Domain Changes

Due to the extension of the use of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata into the

use for documenting biological data sets in general, some additions to domains of standard

elements are required. These changes are detailed below, using the numbering scheme found in

the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata, the element name, the domain as defined

in the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata, and then the additions. Because some

data elements required for documenting geospatial data sets may be of marginal use or possibly

even misleading in documenting non-geospatial data holdings, under these conditions, these

data elements may contain a phrase such as “not applicable”. 

1.3.1 Currentness_Reference

 Domain: “ground condition” “publication date” free text

 Extended Domain: “observed”

1.10.3 Browse_Graphic_Format

Domain: domain values in the table below; free text

DOMAIN VALUE DEFINITION

"CGM" Computer Graphics Metafile 

"EPS" Encapsulated Postscript format 

"GIF" Graphic Interchange Format 

"JPEG" .Joint Photographic Experts Group format

"PBM" Portable Bit Map format 

"PS" Postscript format 

"TIFF" Tagged Image File Format 

"XWD" X-Windows Dump

Extended Domain: 

If a definition of the type is not contained in the table below, use a standard

mime type extension if possible, before creating a new name.

“AIF” Audio Interchange File Format 

“ASF” Advanced Streaming Format

“AU” Sun audio format

“AVI” Audio Video Interleave format

“MID” Musical Digital Interface format

“MOVIE” SGI movie video format

“MP3" MP3 music format

“MPEG” Moving Picture Experts Group video format

“MPGA” MPEG audio format

“PNG” Portable Network Graphics format

“PPT” Powerpoint presentation
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“QT” Quicktime video format

“RA” RealAudio format

“WRL” Virtual Reality Modeling Language

“WAV” Microsoft audio form

2.2 Logical_Consistency_Report

Domain: free text

Extended Domain: “not applicable”

2.5.1.3 Type_of_Source_Media

 Domain: “paper” “stable-base material” “microfiche” “microfilm” “audiocassette”

“chart” “filmstrip” “transparency” “videocassette” “videodisc” “videotape”

“physical model” “computer program” “disc” “cartridge tape” “magnetic tape”

“online” “CD-ROM” “electronic bulletin board” “electronic mail system” free

text

Extended Domain: “digital database file” “field notes” “photographic print”

 “printed table” “visually observed or measured” 

2.5.1.4.1 Source_Currentness_Reference

 Domain: “ground condition” “publication date” free text

 Extended Domain: “observed”

6.4.2.1.1 Format_Name

 Domain: domain values from the table below; free text

Domain

Value Definition

“ARCE” ARC/INFO Export format

“ARCG” ARC/INFO Generate format

“ASCII” ASCII file, formatted for text attributes, declared format

“BIL” Imagery, band interleaved by line

“BIP” Imagery, band interleaved by pixel

“BSQ” Imagery, band interleaved sequential

“CDF” Common Data Format

“CFF” Cartographic Feature File (U.S. Forest Service)

“COORD” User-created coordinate file, declared format

“DEM” Digital Elevation Model format (U.S. Geological Survey)

“DFAD” Digital Feature Analysis Data (National Imagery and 

Mapping Agency)

“DGN” Microstation format (Intergraph corporation)

“DIGEST” Digital Geographic Information Exchange Standard

“DLG” Digital Line Graph (U.S. Geological Survey)

“DTED” Digital Terrain Elevation Data (MIL-D-89020)

“DWG” AutoCAD Drawing format

“DX90" Data Exchange ‘90

“DXF” AutoCAD Drawing Exchange Format
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“ERDAS” ERDAS image file (ERDAS Corporation)

“GRASS” Geographic Resources Analysis Support System

“HDF” Hierarchical Data Format

“IGDS” Interactive Graphic Design System format (Intergraph

Corporation)

“IGES” Initial Graphics Exchange Standard

“MOSS” Multiple Overlay Statistical System export file

“netCDF” network Common Data Format

“NITF” National Imagery Transfer Format

“RPF” Raster Product Format (National Imagery and Mapping

Agency)

“RVC” Raster Vector Converted format (MicroImages)

“RVF” Raster Vector Format (MicroImages)

“SDTS” Spatial Data Transfer Standard (Federal Information

Processing Standard 173)

“SIF” Standard Interchange Format (DOD Project 2851)

“SLF” Standard Linear format (National Imagery and Mapping

Agency)

“TIFF” Tagged Image File Format

“TGRLN” Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and

Referencing (TIGER) Line format (Bureau of the Census)

“VPF” Vector Product Format (National Imagery and Mapping

Agency)

 Extended Domain:

“DBF” dBASE data file

“DIF” VisiCalc format

“DOC” Microsoft Word file

“EPS” Encapsulated Postscript

“FW” Framework spreadsheet or database format

“GIF” Graphics Interchange Format

“GRA” ARC/INFO graphic file

“MDB” Microsoft Access data file 

“PBM” Portable Bit Map format file

“PLT” ARC/INFO Plot file

“PS” Postscript

“QP” Quattro Pro data file

“RPD” Rapid File

“SPLUS” S-Plus file

“WK1" LOTUS 1-2-3 file

“WKS” LOTUS 1-2-3 file 

“WP” WordPerfect

“XLS” Microsoft Excel worksheet
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7.5 Metadata_Standard_Name

 Domain: “FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata” free text

 Extended Domain: “Content Standard for National Biological

Information Infrastructure Metadata” “FGDC Biological Data Profile of

the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata”

8.6 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form

Domain: (the listed domain is partially from pp. 88-91 in Anglo-American

 Committee on Cataloguing of Cartographic materials, 1982, Cartographic 

materials: A manual of interpretation for AACR2: Chicago, American Library

Association): “atlas” “audio” “diagram” “document” “globe” “map” “model”

“multimedia presentation” “profile” “raster digital data” “remote-sensing

image” “section” “spreadsheet” “tabular digital data” “vector digital data”

“video” “view” free text

Extended Domain: “book chapter” “CAD data” “conference proceedings” “database” 

“figure” “hologram” “journal article” “pamphlet” “table (non-digital)” 
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1.4 EXTENDED ELEMENTS

The following are the production rules for how the extended elements fit within the hierarchical

structure of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata.

Metadata =

Identification_Information +

0{Data_Quality_Information}1 +

0{Spatial_Data_Organization_Information}1 +

0{Spatial_Reference_Information}1 +

0{Entity_and_Attribute_Information}1 +

0{Distribution_Information}1 +

Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information =

Citation +

Description +

Time_Period_of_Content +

Status +

0{Spatial_Domain}1 +

Keywords +

0{Taxonomy}1 +

Access_Constraints +

Use_Constraints +

(Point_of_Contact) +

(1{Browse_Graphic}n) +

(Data_Set_Credit) +

(Security_Information) +

(Native_Data_Set_Environment) +

(1{Cross_Reference}n) +

0{Analytical_Tool}n

Spatial_Domain =

Description_of_Geographic_Extent +

Bounding_Coordinates +

(1{Data_Set_G_Polygon}n)

Bounding_Coordinates =

West_Bounding_Coordinate +

East_Bounding_Coordinate +

North_Bounding_Coordinate +

South_Bounding_Coordinate +

(Bounding_Altitudes) 

Bounding_Altitudes =

Altitude_Minimum +

Altitude_Maximum +

Altitude_Distance_Units
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Taxonomy =

1{Keywords/Taxon}n +

0{Taxonomic_System}1 +

(General_Taxonomic_Coverage) +

Taxonomic_Classification

Keywords/Taxon =

Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus +

1{Taxonomic_Keywords}n

Taxonomic_System =

1{Classification_System/Authority}n +

0{Identification_Reference}n +

(1{Identifier}n) +

Taxonomic_Procedures +

0{Taxonomic_Completeness}1 +

0{Vouchers}n

Classification_System/Authority =

Classification_System_Citation +

0{Classification_System_Modifications}1

Classification_System_Citation =

Citation_Information

Identification_Reference =

Citation_Information

Identifier =

Contact_Information

Vouchers =

Specimen +

Repository

Repository =

Contact_Information

Taxonomic_Classification =

Taxon_Rank_Name +

Taxon_Rank_Value +

(1{Applicable_Common_Name}n) +

0{Taxonomic_Classification}n
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Analytical_Tool =

Analytical_Tool_Description +

Tool_Access_Information +

(Tool_Contact) +

(Tool_Citation)

Tool_Access_Information =

0{Online_Linkage}n +

Tool_Access_Instructions +

(Tool_Computer_and_Operating_System)

Tool_Contact =

Contact_Information

Tool_Citation =

Citation_Information

Lineage =

0{Methodology}n +

0{Source_Information}n +

1{Process_Step}n

Methodology =

Methodology_Type +

(1{Methodology_Identifier}n) +

Methodology_Description +

0{Methodology_Citation}n

Methodology_Identifier =

Methodology_Keyword_Thesaurus +

1{Methodology_Keyword}n

Methodology_Citation =

Citation_Information

Digital_Transfer_Information =

Format_Name +

([Format_Version_Number | 

Format_Version_Date] +

(Format_Specification)) +

0{ASCII_File_Structure}1 +

(Format_Information_Content) +

0{File_Decompression_Technique}1 +

(Transfer_Size)
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ASCII_File_Structure =

0{Record_Delimiter}1 +

Number_Header_Lines +

(Description_of_Header_Content) +

Orientation +

Case_Sensitive +

0{Authentication}1 +

0{Quote_Character}1 +

1{Data_Field}n 

Data_Field =

Data_Field_Name +

0{Missing_Value_Code}1 +

[ Data_Field_Width_Delimiter |

Data_Field_Width ]

Single_Date/Time =

[Calendar_Date +

(Time_of_Day)] |

Geologic_Age

Range_of_Dates/Times =

[Beginning_Date +

(Beginning_Time) +

Ending_Date +

(Ending_Time)] |

Beginning_Geologic_Age +

Ending_Geologic_Age

Beginning_Geologic_Age =

Geologic_Age

Ending_Geologic_Age =

Geologic_Age

Geologic_Age =

Geologic_Time_Scale +

Geologic_Age_Estimate +

0{Geologic_Age_Uncertainty}1 +

0{Geologic_Age_Explanation}1 +

(1{Geologic_Citation}n)

Geologic_Citation =

Citation_Information
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Extension_Information:

Name: Description_of_Geographic_Extent

Short_Name: descgeog

z3950 tag: 4112 

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Spatial_Domain

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

Short description of the geographic areal domain of the data set. Examples

include, "Manistee River watershed", "extent of 7 1⁄2 minute quads containing

any property belonging to Yellowstone National Park", or "ponds and

reservoirs larger than 2 acres in Jefferson County, Colorado". This is especially

important when the extent of the data set is not well described by the

"Bounding_Rectangle_Coordinates".

Rationale: 

This description is especially important when the extent of the data set is not

well described by the "Bounding_Rectangle_Coordinates", or in the case of data

which is not specifically geospatial, to provide a geographic setting for the item

being documented. Assuming the "Bounding_Rectangle_Coordinates" do not

adequately describe the extent of the data set, the discrepancy can be identified

and described in this data element. If the item being documented is not

specifically geospatial, the "Bounding_Rectangle_Coordinates" can define a

general polygon, such as a rectangle around a country, with this

"Description_of_Geographic_Extent" element containing a disclaimer

concerning the "Bounding_Rectangle_Coordinates" and/or further detail

concerning the geographic area of concern for the item being documented. For

example, a study of the diseases of salmon may not have a specific geographic

extent associated with it, but the salmon involved in the study were collected in

Washington and Oregon states, thus the "Bounding_Rectangle_Coordinates"

might form a general rectangle around the states of Washington and Oregon,

but the "Description_of_Geographic_Extent" might describe the fact that the

extent within Washington and Oregon included only certain rivers within those

states. 

This data element differs from the standard data element "Place_Keyword" in

that it allows a free text description of the geographic extent, rather than just a

list of words or phrases useful as an index of location names associated with the

data set.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

 Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

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Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

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Extension_Information:

Name: Bounding_Altitudes

Short_Name: boundalt

Type: compound

Child: Altitude_Minimum

Child: Altitude_Maximum

Child: Altitude_Distance_Units

Parent: Bounding_Coordinates

Optionality: optional

Definition: The limits of coverage of a data set expressed by altitude. 

Rationale: 

To be able to locate the vertical extent of a data set in association with its

horizontal extent. The term "altitude" is used instead of the common term

"elevation" to conform to the terminology in Federal Information Processing

Standards 70-1and 173.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Altitude_Minimum

Short_Name: altmin

Type: real

Domain: free real

Parent: Bounding_Altitudes

Optionality: mandatory

Definition: The minimum altitude extent of coverage. 

Rationale: 

To be able to locate the vertical extent of a data set in association with its

horizontal extent. 

Source:

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Altitude_Maximum

Short_Name: altmax

Type: real

Domain: free real

Parent: Bounding_Altitudes

Optionality: mandatory

Definition: The maximum elevation extent of coverage. 

Rationale: 

To be able to locate the vertical extent of a data set in association with its

horizontal extent. 

Source:

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-19

Extension_Information:

Name: Taxonomy

Short_Name: taxonomy

z3950 tag: 4001 

Type: compound

Rule: Taxonomy =

1{Keywords/Taxon}n +

0{Taxonomic_System}1 +

(General_Taxonomic_Coverage) +

Taxonomic_Classification

Parent: Identification_Information

Optionality: Mandatory-if-applicable

Definition: 

Information on the taxa (1 or more) included in the data set, including

keywords, taxonomic system and coverage information, and taxonomic

classification system.

Rationale: To provide for documentation of taxonomic information.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

 Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Keywords/Taxon

Short_Name: keywtax

Type: compound

Rule: Keywords/Taxon =

Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus +

1{Taxonomic_Keywords}n

Parent: Taxonomy

Optionality: mandatory

Definition: 

Taxonomic ranks or common groups characterized by the data set.

Rationale: 

To provide general keywords for searching, and to allow users to identify

potential data sets addressing taxa of interest.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological 

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-20

Extension_Information:

Name: Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus

Short_Name: taxonkt

Type: text

Domain: “None” free text

Parent: Keywords/Taxon

Optionality: mandatory

Definition: 

Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or similar authoritative source of

taxonomic keywords.

Rationale: To provide for documentation of taxonomic information.

Extension_Information:

Name: Taxonomic_Keywords

Short_Name: taxonkey

z3950 tag: 4002 

Type: text

Domain: 

"collection" "multiple species" "single species" "amphibians" "animals"

"bacteria" "fungi" "invertebrates" "lichens" "mammals" "mosses" "plants"

"protists" "reptiles" "vegetation" "vertebrates" "viruses" free text

Parent: Keywords/Taxon

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

Common-use words or phrases describing the taxonomy covered by the data

set.

Rationale: 

To provide general keywords for searching, and to allow users to identify

potential data sets addressing taxa of interest.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

 Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-21

Extension_Information:

Name: Taxonomic_System

Short_Name: taxonsys

z3950 tag: 4028 

Type: compound

Rule: Taxonomic_System =

1{Classification_System/Authority}n +

0{Identification_Reference}n +

(1{Identifier}n) +

Taxonomic_Procedures +

0{Taxonomic_Completeness}1 +

0{Vouchers}n

Parent: Taxonomy

Optionality: Mandatory-if-applicable

Definition: 

Documentation of taxonomic sources, procedures, and treatments.

Rationale: 

The set of data elements contained within this compound element represent an

attempt to provide better documentation of taxonomic sources, procedures, and

treatments as strongly recommended in the American Institute of Biological

Sciences Review to the National Biological Service on the Content Standard for

Non-Geospatial Metadata Workshop, 1995.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Classification_System/Authority

Short_Name: classsys

z3950 tag: 4029 

Type: compound

Rule: Classification_System/Authority =

Classification_System_Citation +

0{Classification_System_Modifications}1

Parent: Taxonomic_System

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

Information about the classification system or authority used.

Rationale:

Together, the classification system and any modifications made to it represent a

significant piece of information concerning the data being documented. 

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

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1-22

Extension_Information:

Name: Classification_System_Citation

Short_Name: classcit

z3950 tag: 4030 

Type: compound

Child: Citation_Information

Parent: Classification_System/Authority

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

A citation for the classification system or authority used, this might include

monographs (e.g., a regional flora) or on-line data sets (e.g., the USDA

PLANTS database), etc.

Rationale: 

This data element defines the authority used for classifying. When appropriate,

the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)

<URL:http://www.itis.usda.gov/itis/> should be used.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Classification_System_Modifications

Short_Name: classmod

z3950 tag: 4037 

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Classification_System/Authority

Optionality: Mandatory-if-applicable

Definition: 

A description of any modifications or exceptions made to the classification

system or authority used.

Rationale:

Many times a standard system is used, but exceptions are made for specific taxa

or groups, this element allows for these exceptions or modifications to be

described.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-23

Extension_Information:

Name: Identification_Reference

Short_Name: idref

z3950 tag: 4031 

Type: compound

Child: Citation_Information

Parent: Taxonomic_System

Optionality: Mandatory-if-applicable

Definition: 

Information on any non-authoritative materials (e.g. field guides) useful for

reconstructing the actual identification process.

Rationale:

This information can be useful for someone who wishes to make use of a data

set, and perhaps expand on it, following similar procedures.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Identifier

Short_Name: ider

z3950 tag: 4032 

Type: compound

Child: Contact_information

Parent: Taxonomic_System

Optionality: Optional

Definition: 

Information about the individual(s) responsible for the identification(s) of the

specimens or sightings, etc.

Rationale:

If there are any questions on the identification of specimens or field sightings,

this should provide some insight into the data creator.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-24

Extension_Information:

Name: Taxonomic_Procedures

Short_Name: taxonpro

z3950 tag: 4035 

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Taxonomic_System

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

Description of the methods used for the taxonomic identification. Could

include specimen processing, comparison with museum materials, keys and key

characters, chemical or genetic analyses, etc.

Rationale:

In order to be able to make appropriate use of a biological data set, often it is

important to know not just who identified the individuals or specimens, but

what process they used to do so.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Taxonomic_Completeness

Short_Name: taxoncom

z3950 tag: 4036 

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Taxonomic_System

Optionality: Mandatory-if-applicable

Definition: 

Information concerning the proportions and treatment of unidentified materials

(i.e. materials sent to experts, and not yet determined); estimates of the

importance, and identities of misidentifications, uncertain determinations,

synonyms or other incorrect usages; taxa not well treated or requiring further

work; and expertise of field workers.

Rationale:

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

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Extension_Information:

Name: Vouchers

Short_Name: vouchers

z3950 tag: 4033 

Type: compound

Rule: Vouchers =

Specimen +

Repository

Parent: Taxonomic_System

Optionality: Mandatory-if-applicable

Definition: 

Information on the types of specimen, the repository, and the individuals who

identified the vouchers.

Rationale:

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Specimen

Short_Name: specimen

z3950 tag: 4038 

Type: text

Domain: 

"herbarium specimens" "blood samples" "photographs" "individuals" free

text

Parent: Vouchers

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

A word or phrase describing the type of specimen collected (e.g. herbarium

specimens, blood samples, photographs, individuals, or batches).

Rationale:

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-26

Extension_Information:

Name: Repository

Short_Name: reposit

z3950 tag: 4034 

Type: compound

Child: Contact_Information

Parent: Vouchers

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

Information about the curator or contact person and/or agency responsible for

the specimens.

Rationale:

If, for any reason, the specimens should need to be referred to, information

about where they are being housed and who is responsible for them should be

kept along with the documentation of the data set. If they have not been

archived, this should be noted.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: General_Taxonomic_Coverage

Short_Name: taxongen

z3950 tag: 4105

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Taxonomy

Optionality: optional

Definition: 

A description of the range of taxa addressed in the data set or collection. For

example, “all vascular plants were identified to family or species, mosses and

lichens were identified as moss or lichen.”

Rationale:

To provide the capability to document the taxa addressed in the data set or

collection via a free text description. This is especially important with data sets

or collections which contain examples of a many taxonomic levels.

Source:

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-27

Extension_Information:

Name: Taxonomic_Classification

Short_Name: taxoncl

z3950 tag: 

Type: compound

Rule: Taxonomic_Classification =

Taxon_Rank_Name +

Taxon_Rank_Value +

(0{Applicable_Common_Name}n) +

0{Taxonomic_Classification}n

Parent: Taxonomy

Parent: Taxonomic_Classification

Definition: 

Information about the range of taxa addressed in the data set or collection. It is

recommended that one provide information starting from the taxonomic rank of

kingdom, to a level which reflects the data set or collection being documented. 

The levels of Kingdom, Division/Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and

Species should be included as ranks as appropriate. For example, if the data set

deals with the species “red maple” or Acer rubrum var. rubrum, then the

contents might look like the following:

Taxonomic_Classification:

 Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom

 Taxon_Rank_Value: Plantae

 Applicable_Common_Name: plants

 Taxonomic_Classification:

 Taxon_Rank_Name: Division

 Taxon_Rank_Value: Magnoliaphyta

 Taxonomic_Classification:

 Taxon_Rank_Name: Class

 Taxon_Rank_Value: Magnoliopsida

 Taxonomic_Classification:

 Taxon_Rank_Name: Subclass

 Taxon_Rank_Value: Rosidae

 Taxonomic_Classification:

 Taxon_Rank_Name: Order

 Taxon_Rank_Value: Sapindales

 Taxonomic_Classification:

 Taxon_Rank_Name: Family

 Taxon_Rank_Value: Aceraceae

 Applicable_Common_Name: maples

 Taxonomic_Classification:

 Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

 Taxon_Rank_Value: Acer

 Applicable_Common_Name: maples

 Taxonomic_Classification:

 Taxon_Rank_Name: Species

 Taxon_Rank_Value: Acer rubrum var. rubrum

 Applicable_Common_Name: red maple
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-28

If the data set pertains to many species, then the Taxonomic_Classification

structure can be built by adding additional families under the

Taxonomic_Classification rank of order.

If the taxon of interest is undefined at any taxonomic rank, omit that rank from

the structure. (One authority for this information is the Integrated Taxonomic

Information System (ITIS) located at:

”http://www.itis.usda.gov/plantproj/itis/”).

Rationale: 

To provide the capability to describe precisely the taxa addressed in the data set

or collection. This can be accomplished using a hierarchical structure to

specify from Kingdom down to the appropriate taxonomic level.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Taxon_Rank_Name

Short_Name: taxonrn

z3950 tag:

Type: text

Domain: 

“Kingdom” “Division” “Phylum” “Subphylum” “Superclass” “Class”

“Subclass” “Infraclass” “Superorder” “Order” “Suborder” “Infraorder”

“Superfamily” “Family” “Subfamily” “Tribe” “Subtribe” “Genus” “Species”

free text

Parent: Taxonomic_Classification

Optionality: mandatory

Definition: 

The name of the taxonomic rank for which the Taxon_Rank_Value is provided. 

See the example included in the definition of Taxonomic_Classification.

Rationale:

To provide the capability to describe precisely the taxa addressed in the data set

or collection.

Source:

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-29

Extension_Information:

Name: Taxon_Rank_Value

Short_Name: taxonrv

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Taxonomic_Classification

Optionality: mandatory

Definition: 

The name representing the taxonomic rank of the taxon being described. See

the example included in the definition of Taxonomic_Classification.

Rationale: 

To provide the capability to describe precisely the taxa addressed in the data set

or collection.

Source:

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Applicable_Common_Name

Short_Name: common

z3950 tag: 4012 

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Taxonomic_Classification

Optionality: optional

Definition: 

Specification of applicable common names. These common names may be

general descriptions of a group of organisms if appropriate (e.g. insects,

vertebrate, grasses, waterfowl, vascular plants, etc.)

Rationale:

To provide the capability to describe precisely the taxa addressed in the data set

or collection.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-30

Extension_Information:

Name: Analytical_Tool

Short_Name: tool

z3950 tag: 4013 

Type: compound

Rule: Analytical_Tool =

Analytical_Tool_Description +

Tool_Access_Information +

(Tool_Contact) +

(Tool_Citation)

Parent: Identification_Information

Optionality: Mandatory-if-applicable

Definition: 

Tools, models, or statistical procedures that the data set is intrinsically bound to

and are available for use in analyzing the data set. Examples include

reconstructions of phylogenies, population viability analyses, community

ordinations, most atmospheric and hydrological transport analyses, and

inferences on the effects of climate change on forest composition and

productivity. Enough information should be included such that a potential data

user can easily determine why they might wish to acquire the analytical tool,

and the methodology to acquire it.

Rationale: 

Some biological data sets are intrinsically bound to models or statistical

procedures used to generate them. In these cases, a description of the analyses

and contact, citation, and access information for the tools used are needed to

properly interpret the data.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Analytical_Tool_Description

Short_Name: tooldesc

z3950 tag: 4014 

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Analytical_Tool

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition:

Description of the analytical tool, model, or statistical procedure.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-31

Extension_Information:

Name: Tool_Access_Information

Short_Name: toolacc

z3950 tag: 4015 

Type: compound

Rule: Tool_Access_Information =

0{Online_Linkage}n +

Tool_Access_Instructions +

(Tool_Computer_and_Operating_System)

Parent: Analytical_Tool

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

Information on the steps required to access the tool.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Tool_Contact

Short_Name: toolcont

z3950 tag: 4016 

Type: compound

Child: Contact_Information

Parent: Analytical_Tool

Optionality: Optional

Definition: 

The party from whom the tool, model, or statistical procedure may be obtained.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Tool_Citation

Short_Name: toolcite

z3950 tag: 4017 

Type: compound

Child: Citation_Information

Parent: Analytical_Tool

Optionality: Optional

Definition: 

Citation information about the tool, model, or statistical procedure.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-32

Extension_Information:

Name: Tool_Access_Instructions

Short_Name: toolinst

z3950 tag: 4019 

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Tool_Access_Information

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

Instructions on the steps required to access the tool, model, or statistical

procedure.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Tool_Computer_and_Operating_System

Short_Name: toolcomp

z3950 tag: 4020 

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Tool_Access_Information

Optionality: Optional

Definition: 

The brand of computer and its operating system that the tool, model, or

statistical procedure requires.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-33

Extension_Information:

Name: Methodology

Short_Name: method

z3950 tag: 4021 

Type: compound

Rule: Methodology =

Methodology_Type +

(1{Methodology_Identifier}n) +

Methodology_Description +

0{Methodology_Citation}n

Parent: Lineage

Optionality: Mandatory-if-applicable

Definition: 

Information about a single step of field and/or laboratory work.

Rationale:

This element represents a critical element of the documentation required to

interpret important biological data sets.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Methodology_Type

Short_Name: methtype

z3950 tag: 4022 

Type: text

Domain: "Field" "Lab" free text

Parent: Methodology

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

The type of methodology being documented, such as field or laboratory

methodology.

Rationale:

This element should set a basic definition for the type of methodology being

documented.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-34

Extension_Information:

Name: Methodology_Identifier

Short_Name: methodid

z3950 tag: 4023 

Type: compound

Rule: Methodology_Identifier =

Methodology_Keyword_Thesaurus +

1{Methodology_Keyword}n

Parent: Methodology

Optionality: Optional

Definition: 

Keywords or phrases summarizing the field or laboratory methods used.

Rationale: 

Although there are no simple sets of standardized methods for all data

collection, for most classes of data, it should be possible to identify some

standard terms describing the methodology being documented. In some cases,

standardized references or thesauri may exist or may be under creation. 

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Methodology_Keyword_Thesaurus

Short_Name: methkt

z3950 tag: 4024 

Type: text

Domain: "None" free text

Parent: Methodology_Identifier

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of

methodology keywords.

Rationale: 

Although there are no simple sets of standardized methods for all data

collection, for most classes of data, it should be possible to identify some

standard terms describing the methodology being documented. In some cases,

standardized references or thesauri may exist or may be under creation. 

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-35

Extension_Information:

Name: Methodology_Keyword

Short_Name: methkey

z3950 tag: 4025 

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Methodology_Identifier

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

The name of a method used in the field or laboratory work.

Rationale: 

Although there are no simple sets of standardized methods for all data

collection, for most classes of data, it should be possible to identify some

standard terms describing the methodology being documented. In some cases,

standardized references or thesauri may exist or may be under creation. 

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Methodology_Description

Short_Name: methdesc

z3950 tag: 4026 

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Methodology

Optionality: Mandatory

Definition: 

Equivalent to "Materials and Methods" in a journal article. Describe the

physical methods used to gather data, the experimental design, sample

frequency, treatments or strata, statistical and spatial design of the sampling,

and sample completeness, representativeness, and biases. For example, in a

bird survey, relevant elements would include the methods used to detect species

occurrences (casual sightings, transects, focal point surveys, vocalizations, mist

nets), whether or not evidence of breeding activity was required, descriptions of

the habitat strata in a stratified design, and known biases (e.g., non-territorial

birds were undersampled, and some juveniles could not be identified to

species.)

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-36

Extension_Information:

Name: Methodology_Citation

Short_Name: methcite

z3950 tag: 4027 

Type: compound

Child: Citation_Information

Parent: Methodology

Optionality: Mandatory-if-applicable

Definition: Information referencing the methods used.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: ASCII_File_Structure

Short_Name: asciistr

Type: compound

Rule: ASCII_File_Structure =

0{Record_Delimiter}1 +

Number_Header_Lines +

(Description_of_Header_Content) +

Orientation +

Case_Sensitive +

0{Authentication}1 +

0{Quote_Character}1 +

1{Data_Field}n 

Parent: Digital_Transfer_Information

Optionality: mandatory if applicable

Definition: Information about the content and format of an ASCII data file. 

Rationale: 

To provide the capability to completely and accurately describe the content and

format of an ASCII data file. This structure was created with the goal of

automatic machine processing of this information for file transfer, data loading,

and quality assurance.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-37

Extension_Information:

Name: Record_Delimiter 

Short_Name: recdel

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: ASCII_File_Structure

Optionality: Mandatory if applicable

Definition: 

The character(s) which indicate the end of a record.

Rationale: 

To provide accurate machine processable information for transfer of ASCII

files.

Source:

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Number_Header_Lines 

Short_Name: numheadl

Type: Integer

Domain: Number_Header _Lines >= 0

Parent: ASCII_File_Structure

Optionality: mandatory

Definition: 

The number of lines at the beginning of the file before the data content actually

begins.

Rationale: 

To provide accurate machine processable information for transfer of ASCII

files.

Source:

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-38

Extension_Information:

Name: Description_of_Header_Content 

Short_Name: deschead

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: ASCII_File_Structure

Optionality: optional

Definition: 

Description of the information content of the header lines.

Rationale: 

To provide accurate machine processable information for transfer of ASCII

files.

Source:

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 

Extension_Information: 

Name: Orientation 

Short_Name: orienta

Type: text

Domain: “columnmajor” “rowmajor”

Parent: ASCII_File_Structure

Optionality: mandatory

Definition: 

Definition of the direction of information content as represented in the ASCII

file. Typical data sets are represented in column-major format, where each

attribute in the data set is represented as a column and each observation is a

row. In contrast, row-major data sets represent attributes as rows and

observations as columns. For example, if one has 3 observations (1,2,3) of two

attributes (A,B), in column-major format the first record of the datafile would

contain the first observation for both attributes (values A1,B1), but in

row-major format the first record would contain all of the observations for only

attribute A (values A1,A2,A3).

Rationale: 

To provide accurate machine processable information for transfer of ASCII

files.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-39

Extension_Information:

Name: Case_Sensitive 

Short_Name: casesens

Type: text

Domain: “y” “Y” “n” “N”

Parent: ASCII_File_Structure

Optionality: mandatory

Definition:

If the content of the data set is encoded in case-sensitive ASCII (the capital and

small letters have meaning), then this element should contain “y” or “Y”,

otherwise this element should contain “n” or “N”.

Rationale: 

To provide accurate machine processable information for transfer of ASCII

files.

Source:

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group

Extension_Information:

Name: Authentication 

Short_Name: authent

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: ASCII_File_Structure

Optionality: mandatory if applicable

Definition: 

Information allowing verification of file contents to ensure accurate

transmission of the file. This is generally a named checksum that uses a

standard algorithm or a cryptographic signature. For example, a MD5

checksum could be provided and, if it matches a MD5 checksum calculated for

the received file, one would conclude that the file is identical to the original.

Rationale: 

To provide accurate machine processable information for transfer of ASCII

files.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-40

Extension_Information: 

Name: Quote_Character

Short_Name: quotech

Type: text

Domain: “ “ ” “ ‘ ” “ ` ” free text

Parent: ASCII_File_Structure

Optionality: mandatory if applicable

Definition: 

Character used to quote fields in the data representation so that the field

delimiter can be used as part of the field value. This character is typically a

single quote mark or double quote mark. For example, in a field representing a

person's name, one might use double quotes around the field (e.g., "Johnson,

M.") to indicate that the embedded comma in the text string is not a field

delimiter.

Rationale: 

To provide accurate machine processable information for transfer of ASCII

files.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 

Extension_Information:

Name: Data_Field

Short_Name: datafiel

Type: compound

Rule: Data_Field =

Data_Field_Name +

0{Missing_Value_Code}1 +

[ Data_Field_Width_Delimiter |

Data_Field_Width ] 

Parent: ASCII_File_Structure

Optionality: mandatory

Definition: 

Information describing the individual data fields (this would be equivalent to 

columns in most databases). 

Rationale: 

To provide accurate machine processable information for transfer of ASCII

files.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-41

Extension_Information:

Name: Data_Field_Name

Short_Name: dfieldnm

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Data_Field

Optionality: mandatory

Definition: 

Name of the data field. This name should be the same as an Attribute Label

documented in Section 5.1.2 Attribute (within Detailed Description which is

itself within Entity and Attribute Information). The definition, domain, units

of measure, and measurement resolution are all important pieces of information

for ASCII file use. 

Rationale: 

The definition, domain, units of measure, and measurement resolution are all

defined as part of 5.1.2 Attribute, thus should not be defined again. This

information should be entered, thus the name entered as the Attribute Label

should be referred to here, so the appropriate information can be correlated

with the fields of the ASCII data file. 

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 

Extension_Information:

Name: Missing_Value_Code

Short_Name: missingv

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Data_Field 

Optionality: mandatory if applicable

Definition: 

The code which represents missing data. 

Rationale: 

In order to differentiate between missing data and null data, a code to indicate

that the data value is missing is often used. This code is required to make

effective and accurate use of ASCII data files.

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-42

Extension_Information:

Name: Data_Field_Width_Delimiter 

Short_Name: dfwidthd

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Data_Field 

Definition:

The character which indicates the end of the data field contents. 

Rationale:

To make effective and accurate use of ASCII data files. Although entire data

sets are generally characterized as fixed_width format or variable_width

format, this characterization is more accurately reflected at the field level, as

fixed_width fields may be mixed in the same data file with variable_width

fields. 

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 

Extension_Information:

Name: Data_Field_Width

Short_Name: dfwidth

Type: integer

Domain: Data_Field_Width >=1

Parent: Data_Field 

Definition:

The number of characters of the data field. 

Rationale:

To make effective and accurate use of ASCII data files. Although entire data

sets are generally characterized as fixed_width format or variable_width

format, this characterization is more accurately reflected at the field level, as

fixed_width fields may be mixed in the same data file with variable_width

fields. 

Source: 

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), USGS Biological

Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-43

Extension_Information:

Name: Beginning_Geologic_Age

Short_Name: beggeol

Type: Compound

Rule: Beginning_Geologic_Age = 

Geologic_Age

Parent: Range_of_Dates/Times

Definition: 

A name, code, or date for the beginning of an event or period in geologic time.

Rationale:

To provide the capability to completely and accurately describe the geologic

dates relevant to a data set.

Source: 

U.S. Geological Survey, FGDC Biological Data Working Group, National

Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII)

Extension_Information:

Name: Ending_Geologic_Age

Short_Name: endgeol

Type: Compound

Rule: Ending_Geologic_Age = 

Geologic_Age

Parent: Range_of_Dates/Times

Definition: A name, code, or date for the end of an event or period in geologic time.

Rationale:

To provide the capability to completely and accurately describe the geologic

dates relevant to a data set.

Source: 

U.S. Geological Survey, FGDC Biological Data Working Group, National

Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII)
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-44

Extension_Information:

Name: Geologic_Age

Short_Name: geolage

Parent: Single_Date/Time

Parent: Beginning_Geologic_Age

Parent: Ending_Geologic_Age

Type: Compound

Rule: Geologic_Age = 

Geologic_Time_Scale + 

Geologic_Age_Estimate + 

0{Geologic_Age_Uncertainty}1 + 

0{Geologic_Age_Explanation}1 + 

(1{Geologic_Citation}n)

Definition: 

A name, code, or date describing an event or period in geologic time, expressed

either as an absolute date calculated using a named dating method, or as a

relative date that is drawn from stratigraphy or biostratigraphy.

Rationale:

To provide the capability to describe the geologic dates relevant to a data set. 

Calendar dates as provided in the ISO 8601 dating system used in the standard

CSDGM are not adequate to describe geologic time periods. Absolute geologic

time is usually measured in “millions of years” before present, but may use

different units and relative base times. Relative geologic time is measured by

subdivisions of the earth’s geology in an order based upon relative age, most

commonly, vertical or stratigraphic position. The actual dating systems used in

geologic studies often tie relative times measured through stratigraphy or

biostratigraphy to a particular absolute time using radioisotope dating

techniques, among others. As these methods for absolute dating have

improved, the estimates of the dates for strata have changed, consequently, it

would be inaccurate to record absolute dates in situations where relative dates

were measured. This structure is provided as an optional alternative to the

standard calendar dates provided by ISO 8601. 

Source: 

U.S. Geological Survey, FGDC Biological Data Working Group, National

Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII)
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-45

Extension_Information:

Name: Geologic_Time_Scale

Short_Name:geolscal

Type: text

Domain: 

"Absolute" "Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale” “International Geological Time

Scale" "Oxygen-Isotope" free text

Parent: Geologic_Age

Optionality: mandatory

Definition:

Name of a recognized geologic time scale. This includes “Absolute” as the

name of the time scale for measuring geologic dates before the present and

names of geologic dating systems that are arrangements of symbols or names in

order of relative geologic time.

Rationale:

To provide the capability to completely and accurately describe the geologic

dates relevant to a data set.

Source: 

U.S. Geological Survey, FGDC Biological Data Working Group, National

Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII)
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-46

Extension_Information:

Name: Geologic_Age_Estimate

Short_Name: geolest

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Geologic_Age

Optionality: mandatory

Definition:

Either an absolute geologic date or a relative geologic age name describing an

event or period in geologic time based on the Geologic_Time_Scale. For

example, ”300 Ma” (300 million years before present) is a

Geologic_Age_Estimate based on the “Absolute” Geologic_Time_Scale,

“C28r” is a chron name from the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale, and

“Maastrichtian” and “Jurassic” are names from the International Geological

Time Scale. Since different relative geologic time scales are often not aligned,

multiple geologic dates may need to be specified. For example, the

Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale chron “C29r”, at the K/T boundary lies in

both the Maastrichtian and the Danian stages from the International Geological

Time Scale, thus if you were documenting this event using the International

Geological Time Scale, both “Maastrichtian” and “Danian” should be included

here. 

Rationale:

To provide the capability to completely and accurately describe the geologic

dates relevant to a data set.

Source: 

U.S. Geological Survey, FGDC Biological Data Working Group, National

Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII)
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-47

Extension_Information:

Name: Geologic_Age_Uncertainty

Short_Name:geolun

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Geologic_Age

Optionality: mandatory if applicable

Definition:

The error estimate for the geologic time. This should include the units of

measure, a description of what the error estimate represents and how it was

calculated.

Rationale:

To provide the capability to completely and accurately describe the geologic

dates relevant to a data set.

Source: 

U.S. Geological Survey, FGDC Biological Data Working Group, National

Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII)

Extension_Information:

Name: Geologic_Age_Explanation

Short_Name:geolexpl

Type: text

Domain: free text

Parent: Geologic_Age

Optionality: mandatory if applicable

Definition:

The name and/or description of the method used to calculate the

Geologic_Age_Estimate. Detailed information about the method may be

provided through references contained in the Geologic_Citation. 

Rationale:

To provide the capability to completely and accurately describe the geologic

dates relevant to a data set.

Source: 

U.S. Geological Survey, FGDC Biological Data Working Group, National

Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII)
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-48

Extension_Information:

Name: Geologic_Citation

Short_Name: geolcit

Type: compound

Rule: Geologic_Citation =

Citation_Information

Parent: Geologic_Age

Optionality: optional

Definition:

Citation for works providing detailed information about any element of the

Geologic_Age. For example, a publication describing the methodology used for

carbon dating or describing the basic geologic time scale in more detail could

be cited here.

Rationale:

To provide the capability to completely and accurately describe the geologic

dates relevant to a data set.

Source: 

U.S. Geological Survey, FGDC Biological Data Working Group, National

Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII)
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-49

1.5 REFERENCES

American Institute of Biological Sciences, 1995, American Institute of Biological Sciences

Review to National Biological Service: Content Standard for Non-Geospatial Metadata

Workshop: unpublished document, pg. 115.

American Institute of Biological Sciences, 1999, The American Institute of Biological Sciences

Scientific Peer Advisory and Review Services 1999 Report on the draft “Biological Profile of the

Content Standard For Digital Geospatial Metadata”: unpublished report, pg. 23.

Federal Geographic Data Committee, 1998, Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

(revised June 1998) Federal Geographic Data Committee. Washington, D.C.

[http://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/contstan.html] pg. 85.

National Biological Service, 1995, Content Standard for National Biological Information

Infrastructure Metadata: Denver Colorado, National Biological Service internal document.

[http://www.nbii.gov/current.status.html] pg. 84.

Schweitzer, Peter N. 1996, NBII Extension file for cns and mp programs - nbii.ext: Reston,

Virginia, USGS web based informal publication.

[http://geology.usgs.gov/tools/metadata/] 1+ web page.
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-50
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

1-51

1.6 INDEX TO EXTENDED AND MODIFIED ELEMENTS

Page

Altitude_Distance_Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 1-13, 1-18

Altitude_Maximum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13, 1-18

Altitude_Minimum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13, 1-18

Analytical_Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7, 1-13, 1-15, 1-30, 1-31

Analytical_Tool_Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-30

Applicable_Common_Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-27, 1-29

ASCII_File_Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-16, 1-36, 1-37, 1-38, 1-39, 1-40

Authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-36, 1-39

Beginning_Geologic_Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-43, 1-44

Bounding_Altitudes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13, 1-18

Bounding_Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13, 1-18

Browse_Graphic_Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Case_Sensitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-36, 1-39

Citation_Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8, 1-14, 1-15, 1-16, 1-22, 1-23, 1-31, 1-36, 1-48

Classification_System/Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-21, 1-22

Classification_System_Citation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-21, 1-22

Classification_System_Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-21, 1-22

Currentness_Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9, 1-53

Data_Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-36, 1-40, 1-41, 1-42

Data_Field_Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-40, 1-41

Data_Field_Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-40, 1-42

Data_Field_Width_Delimiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-40, 1-42

Description_of_Geographic_Extent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13, 1-17

Description_of_Header_Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-36, 1-38

Digital_Transfer_Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-36

Ending_Geologic_Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-43, 1-44

Format_Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10, 1-15

General_Taxonomic_Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-19, 1-26

Geologic_Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-43, 1-44, 1-45, 1-46, 1-47, 1-48

Geologic_Age_Estimate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-44, 1-46, 1-47

Geologic_Age_Explanation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-44, 1-47

Geologic_Age_Uncertainty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-44, 1-47

Geologic_Citation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-44, 1-47, 1-48

Geologic_Time_Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-44-46

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8, 1-12

Identification_Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7, 1-13, 1-19, 1-30

Identification_Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-21, 1-23

Identifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-21, 1-23

Keywords/Taxon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-19, 1-20

Lineage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-33

Logical_Consistency_Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

Metadata_Standard_Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-33, 1-34, 1-35, 1-36, 1-53

Methodology_Citation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-33, 1-36

Methodology_Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-33, 1-35
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Page

Methodology_Identifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-33, 1-34, 1-35

Methodology_Keyword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-34, 1-35

Methodology_Keyword_Thesaurus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-34

Methodology_Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-33

Missing_Value_Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-40, 1-41

Number_Header_Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-36, 1-37

Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-36, 1-38

Quote_Character . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-36, 1-40

Range_of_Dates/Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-43

Record_Delimiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-36, 1-37

Repository . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-25, 1-26

Single_Date/Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16, 1-44

Source_Currentness_Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10, 1-53

Spatial_Domain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7, 1-8, 1-13, 1-17

Specimen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-25

Taxon_Rank_Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-27, 1-28

Taxon_Rank_Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-27, 1-28, 1-29

Taxonomic_Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-19, 1-27, 1-28, 1-29

Taxonomic_Completeness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-21, 1-24

Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-19, 1-20

Taxonomic_Keywords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-19, 1-20

Taxonomic_Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-21, 1-24

Taxonomic_System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-19, 1-21, 1-23, 1-24, 1-25

Taxonomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7, 1-13, 1-14, 1-19, 1-21, 1-26, 1-27, 1-54

Tool_Access_Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-30, 1-31, 1-32

Tool_Access_Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-31, 1-32

Tool_Citation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-30, 1-31

Tool_Computer_and_Operating_System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-31, 1-32

Tool_Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15, 1-30, 1-31

Type_of_Source_Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10, 1-53

Vouchers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14, 1-21, 1-25, 1-26
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata 1998

Part 1 Biological Data Profile, 1999

Appendix 1.A (informative) Glossary

1-53

1.7 APPENDIX 1.A (INFORMATIVE) GLOSSARY

animalia – (animals) Multicellular organisms possessing membrane-bound organelles and nucleus.

Animals are heterotrophs and most are motile. Most animals reproduce via sperm and egg cells.

Phylums within the animalia kingdom include porifera, cnidaria, platyhelminthes, nematoda,

mollusca, annelida, arthropoda, echinodermata, and chordata.

biological data – Any communication or representation of biologically related facts or information

collected for computation or analysis.

class – The primary subdivision of a taxonomic division or phylum, usually consisting of one or

more orders. 

division-phylum – The primary subdivision of a taxonomic kingdom consisting of one or more

classes of organisms.

family – The major subdivision of a taxonomic order or suborder consisting of one or more genera.

fungi – (fungus) Organisms which are nonmotile, heterotrophic, with membrane-bounded

organelles and nucleus. Most fungi reproduce by means of spores, and are unable to perform

photosynthesis. The divisions with the fungi kingdom include mycophycota, zygomycota,

basidiomycota, ascomycota, and deuteromycota.

genus – The major subdivision of a taxonomic family or subfamily usually consisting of one or more

species.

kingdom – One of the taxonomic divisions of living organisms, includes animals (animalia), plants

(plantae), protists (protista), fungus (fungi), and (monera).

methodology – A set or system of methods, principles, and rules for a biological inquiry procedure.

This includes laboratory, field, data processing and statistical methodologies.

monera – (bacteria, blue-green algae) Organisms lacking a cell nuclei. The divisions within the

monera kingdom include archaebacteria and eubacteria.

observed – To make a methodical or scientific record of something. Under “Currentness Reference”

and “Source Currentness Reference” “observed” is used if you observed the time of the data

collection. Under “Type of Source Media” “visually observed or measured” is used if the source of

the data was generated from methodical or scientific observations or measurements.

order – The major subdivision of a taxonomic class or subclass consisting of one or more taxonomic

families.

plantae – (plants) Multicellular organisms that perform photosynthesis to obtain their nutrition.

Plants all possess chloroplasts and have distinct cell walls made of cellulose. The divisions with the

plantae kingdom include bryophytes, gymnosperms, angiosperms, and sphenophyta.
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

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Appendix 1.A (informative) Glossary

1-54

protista – (amoeba, euglena, paramecium, diatom, slime molds) The kingdom of protists consists

of generally unicellular organisms possessing membrane-bound organelles and nucleus. The

divisions within the protista kingdom include autotrophs and heterotrophs.

species – The major subdivision of a genus or subgenus, regarded as the basic category of biological

classification, composed of related individuals that resemble one another and are able to breed among

themselves, but are generally not able to breed with members of another species.

taxa – Taxonomic categories, such as species and genus.

taxonomy – The science or technique of describing, identifying, naming, and classifying living

organisms.