When you connect to the NBII Metadata Clearinghouse you will be able to search through metadata-based descriptions of biological data sets and information products from many different sources to identify those that meet your particular search criteria.
The NBII Metadata Clearinghouse: http://metadata.nbii.gov/
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Plants:
Plant names as accepted by NatureServe's standard references, which represent the consensus standards for researchers working in a given geographic area. NatureServe also reports plant names not accepted in the standard reference that have status assigned under the U.S. Endangered Species Act or by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.
Vertebrates and Invertebrates:
Standard vertebrate and invertebrate names for particular taxon circumscriptions are defined by NatureServe zoologists who use a set of major references generally accepted by researchers working on a given taxonomic group. However, many of these major references are updated infrequently, typically only every 10 years. Because taxonomy is a dynamic field, NatureServe zoologists review numerous journals and monographs each year for taxonomic and nomenclatural changes, and they may accept these changes before the major source(s) for each group are updated to reflect them. In addition, undescribed taxa of conservation concern (i.e., taxa for which scientific names have not yet been published) may be tracked in the NatureServe Central Databases.
Ecological Communities:
Ecological communities are defined in the "International Classification of Ecological Communities: Terrestrial Vegetation of the United States" (Grossman et al. 1998). In addition, NatureServe reports information on ecological systems as defined in "Ecological Systems of the United States: A Working Classification of U.S. Terrestrial Systems" (Comer et al. 2003) and "Ecological Systems of Latin America and the Caribbean: A Working Classification of Terrestrial Systems" (Josse et al. 2003). Developed by NatureServe, its natural heritage member programs, and The Nature Conservancy, this classification is a systematic way of describing and assessing ecological diversity. It fills the need for national and international classification standards for ecological communities, while allowing for classification at a scale fine enough to be used to understand, manage, and protect natural resources on a site-by-site basis. Although the standards can be applied to define terrestrial ecological communities anywhere in the world, the great majority of the classification currently consists of vegetation types that occur in the United States, and adjacent areas of Canada and Mexico.
Synonyms and Other Related Names:
Sometimes a taxon is recognized locally or in an official listing (e.g., U.S. ESA, COSEWIC) by a name that differs from that used by NatureServe. In these cases it is advantageous to maintain databases records using those names as well. Such names are recorded as synonyms to the global standard name.
The most common situations where this occurs are when a taxon is recognized locally or in an official listing:
1) using a name that differs from that used by NatureServe;
2) as a species, subspecies, or variety that is not recognized as distinct by NatureServe; or
3) at a different taxonomic level than recognized by NatureServe.
Local member programs track their own names in addition to the global standard names. In some cases, data for a name or taxon not recognized by NatureServe (sometimes referred to as a nonstandard element) must be maintained only under the alternate name (e.g., when the conservation status ranks assigned to the nonstandard element differ from the ranks assigned to the element recognized in the standard classification).
Explanatory notes provide additional information on elements whose taxonomic status is controversial, uncertain, or has been recently modified. NatureServe reports standard global names and includes synonyms and nonstandard elements where possible in order to accurately reflect the names most often used for tracking a particular taxon.
Plants:
NatureServe provides comprehensive conservation status, taxonomic, and distribution information for all native and exotic species, subspecies, varieties and named hybrids of vascular plants of the United States and Canada, except those present only in cultivation. Bryophytes and lichens with U.S. federal protection and those with status assigned by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada are included, along with selected others. Distribution data are provided for all states and provinces where each species is known to occur. All plant species recorded by NatureServe have been classified according to standard references, and most have been assigned a global conservation status rank. National status under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada are provided where applicable. This information is continually reviewed and updated in the NatureServe Central Databases in order to reflect the latest taxonomic treatments, ongoing inventory efforts, and new status assessments.
Vertebrate Animals:
NatureServe provides comprehensive conservation status, taxonomic, and distribution information for vertebrate animal species native to the United States and Canada in the following taxonomic groups (all vertebrates except marine fishes): mammals, birds, reptiles, turtles, crocodilians, fishes. All of these species have been classified according to major references or recent literature, and most regularly occurring species have been assigned a global conservation status rank (a number of accidentally occurring birds and undescribed species included have not yet been ranked). National status under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada are provided where applicable. This information is continually reviewed and updated in NatureServe Central Databases in order to reflect the latest taxonomic treatments, ongoing inventory efforts, and new status assessments.
Invertebrate Animals:
NatureServe provides comprehensive conservation status and taxonomic information for invertebrate animal species native to the United States and Canada in the following taxonomic groups: freshwater mussels; freshwater snails; crayfishes; fairy, clam, and tadpole shrimps; butterflies and skippers; giant silkworm and royal moths; sphinx moths; Notodontid Moths; underwing moths; Papaipema moths; tiger beetles; stoneflies; grasshoppers; mayflies; dragonflies and damselflies; and all cave obligate species. Other invertebrate species not in these groups that may need conservation attention are also included. These records collectively represent less than 5% of known described U.S. and Canadian invertebrates. All invertebrate species recorded by NatureServe have been classified according to major references or recent literature, and most have been assigned a global conservation status rank. National status under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada are provided where applicable. This information is continually reviewed and updated in the NatureServe Central Databases in order to reflect the latest taxonomic treatments, ongoing inventory efforts, and new status assessments.
Ecological Units:
NatureServe provides data for ecological units (communities and systems) primarily in the contiguous United States and Hawaii. Canadian data are provided by NatureServe where available. Ecological systems data will be provided in the future for Latin America and the Caribbean. The completeness of ecological unit inventory and classification work varies widely among states, provinces and regions, and NatureServe data reflects these variations. Ecological units are defined by the International Ecological Classification Standard, primarily composed at present of the International Vegetation Classification (IVC) and the NatureServe Ecological Systems Classification. Because of the wide variation in ecological units inventory and classification throughout the United States, it is not possible to make a definitive interpretation of the differences in diversity of ecological units among states or regions. Some states or regions focus efforts on those US-NVC alliances and associations that are considered imperiled (conservation ranks G1 or G2), while others, like the western U.S. Forest Service Districts, focus on more common units. Also, while the classification system is intended to develop units with consistent scale, associations are more narrowly defined in some regions, resulting in a greater number of associations per alliance than average.
NatureServe's goal for taxonomic coverage is to maintain currency of data for selected groups rather than maximizing the number of groups tracked. For this reason, we focus on achieving comprehensive coverage for groups that are either well known or otherwise of conservation interest, and work to keep this data taxonomically up-to-date. The taxonomic information, however, is not the primary goal of the databases, however, but serve as an index to the conservation-relevant information that we specialize in developing (especially species status, precise location, and population condition).
NatureServe will provide [Organization Name], with for a specific time period access to an electronic copy of the Licensed Dataset provided under contract between NatureServe and [Organization Name]. This license entitles a specific number of Organization Name] employees, hereinafter referred to as the "data users", to have access to the Licensed Dataset. Hard copy maps may be generated and used by additional personnel of [Organization Name]. NatureServe will provide the data users all necessary data, metadata, and support necessary to ensure proper use of the Licensed Dataset.
A. The Licensed Dataset provided by NatureServe will be used by the data users to [Purpose for Use of Licensed Dataset]. When making conservation management decisions that impact species at a local scale, NatureServe strongly recommends that the data users employees consult with the contributing Natural Heritage Programs to ensure that the data users have access to all available species information and expertise.
B. NatureServe grants to the data users during the term of this agreement a limited, nonexclusive, right of access to the electronic version of the Licensed Dataset. The dataset is non-transferable, except in the event of corporate reorganization during the license term, upon which the same data users may have access under the reorganized corporate name. The data and information provided therein are solely for internal use by [Organization Name]; provided that those with access to the data and information shall in all respects treat them as the proprietary information of NatureServe and contributing NHPs in accordance with all procedures reasonably necessary to protect their proprietary rights in the data and information. The data users shall include the terms, conditions and procedures for protecting proprietary information on any products derived from these data.
C. The Licensed Dataset will reside with [Organization Name]. The Licensed Dataset may only be accessed by [Organization Name] representatives.
D. The data users shall not distribute any products derived from the Licensed Dataset outside the [Organization Name] without written permission from NatureServe. The Data Users must ensure that all data products present the data in a way that will not compromise any species populations; therefore the data users shall: (1) not display specific locational data for any 'named' species, but shall at most indicate that there is a sensitive species at a specific area, or (2) randomize within a USGS Quadrangle the precise location of a 'named' species, or (3) for a 'named' species location with a precise location, the data users should 'zoom out' the area far enough that the user cannot tell where the species is located on the ground. The only allowable exception to displaying specific locational data for a named species would occur when data included in the Licensed Dataset is otherwise obtained from a source independent from NatureServe and the member Natural Heritage Programs for the Licensed Dataset. The data users shall reserve the right to publish and disseminate summary reports, journal publications, PhD dissertations or maps based on the Licensed Data Set.
E. No interest whatsoever is conveyed to [Organization Name] in right, title and interest in the Licensed Dataset, the data, the information and all copyrights (and renewals thereof) secured therein. All publication, dissemination and other rights in the Licensed Dataset are reserved to NatureServe in all languages, formats and throughout the world for the sole and exclusive use or any other disposition by NatureServe or their assignees or grantees at any time and from time to time without any obligation or liability to any User.
F. The Licensed Dataset provided by NatureServe is not to be distributed to other agencies, organizations, companies, or individuals without prior written consent of NatureServe. Requests received by [Organization Name] from other groups, organizations, or individuals for electronic or paper copies of lists, or other reports, or portions of the data thereof, should be directed to Jason McNees at NatureServe at 1101 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1500, Arlington, VA 22209 at (703) 908-1800.
G. License to use this dataset expires on DD/MM/YYYY, (or 12 months from delivery of data to [Organization Name]), whichever is later. Upon expiration of the Licensed Dataset, [Organization Name] will delete the Licensed Dataset from their active computer systems, and [Organization Name] shall not generate new maps, risk assessments, data analyses or other products from the Licensed Dataset after that date. If all parties agree, [Organization Name] has the option to extend use of the Licensed Dataset after the term of this agreement expires by amending this license and receiving an updated version of the Licensed Dataset from NatureServe.
H. The data users will provide appropriate citation and/or acknowledgment on all products, publications or media announcements derived from the Licensed Dataset. The following citation and acknowledgement statement should be used on publications or other products. As appropriate, NatureServe's logo should also be used on publications or other products where NatureServe contributed data or information.
Citation (used when data are included in a publication):
NatureServe
Data source statement (used under graphic or map):
Data Source: NatureServe and its Natural Heritage member programs.
Acknowledgement Statement (included on data products as appropriate):
This information is provided by NatureServe (www.natureserve.org) and its Natural Heritage member programs, a leading source of information about rare and endangered species, and threatened ecosystems.
Warranty Statement (included on data products as appropriate):
The absence of data in any particular geographic area does not necessarily mean that species or ecological communities of concern are not present. (Often used on maps when brief text is needed).
OR
These data are dependent on the research and observations of many scientists and institutions, and reflect our current state of knowledge. Many areas have never been thoroughly surveyed, however, and the absence of data in any particular geographic area does not necessarily mean that species or ecological communities of concern are not present. These data should not be regarded as a substitute for on-site surveys required for environmental assessments. If ground-disturbing activities are proposed on a site, the appropriate state natural heritage program(s) or conservation data center should be contacted for a site-specific review of the project area. For contact information, see the NatureServe web site at www.natureserve.org.
I. The data disclosure restrictions set forth above shall remain in effect after the expiration of this Agreement.
local, national and global status information are consistent for the element range-wide.
2) Federal Status Designations: NatureServe staff update the central databases with changes in status due to proposals and determinations to add taxa to the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants within two weeks of publication in the Federal Register. Addition and removal of candidates in Notices of Review or Notices of Reclassification are entered within four weeks of their publication. Where species have a partial or mixed federal status designation, the correct federal status has been assigned at the element occurrence level and only those occurrence records that are federally listed have been provided.
3) Taxonomy is constantly being updated based on the publication of new sources. See taxonomic system metadata for information about taxonomic procedures and sources for all taxonomic groups potentially included in the dataset.
Any Element Occurrences known to be incorrectly identified or mapped have been excluded.
Specific project deliverables include detailed information about data completeness for that dataset, including information from individual member programs.
(1) For point Element Occurrences, the centrum point locational data are exported from NatureServe's central heritage databases to an ASCII text file. The ASCII file is imported into ArcView 3.2, converted to a Dbase table, viewed as an event theme, and then converted to a shapefile. The attribute table is edited as needed to standardize the data. For selected projects, the point EOs are converted to circular polygons using default buffers based on the Precision_BCD values that mimic the initial conversion from point data to Biotics Mapper and the new EO methodology. The following are the default conversion values: S=0.062 mi, M=1.491 mi, and G=4.971 mi.
(2) For polygon Element Occurrences, the spatial data is joined to attribute data from Biotics Tracker (the tabular component of the data mangement system) for the most current global data such as NatureServe Conservation Status, U.S. Endangered Species Act (USESA) Status, and COSEWIC. As needed, the polygon EO shapefiles are reprojected to a common projection.
Using Biotics (version 3.1 and 4.0) the software essentially walks the user through the process for developing EO reps according to the revised EO methodology. For a comprehensive description of this methodology, see:
http://whiteoak.natureserve.org/eodraft/index.htm
In addition, Biotics automatically creates and maintains separate themes for different feature types, along with associated attributes. In order to map a new EO using Biotics, the process is as follows:
1. Digitize and Evaluate Source Feature(s)
a) Digitize the appropriate source feature (point, line, or polygon), based on the size of the observed area (compared with the minimum mapping unit for the scale map being used), and the amount and direction of uncertainty associated with that location.
b) Assign attributes to source feature by entering fields in source feature window.
c) If the source feature has areal estimated locational uncertainty, buffer with a graphic using the specified uncertainty distance class as the radius.
d) Repeat the preceding three steps for each additional observed area for the Element.
e) Evaluate separation distances (obtained from the EO specifications) between source feature(s) and other EO reps and independent source features of the same Element using circular graphics tool with diameter equal to appropriate separation distance.
f) Indicate which feature(s) are to comprise an EO; when completed, remove uncertainty buffer graphics.
2. Develop EO Reps
a) Based on the grouping of source features and their associated attributes, Biotics will automatically create EO reps, adding any uncertainty or procedural buffers as appropriate.
b) Biotics will automatically assign a unique identifier and calculate spatial attributes, storing them with the appropriate themes.
c) Periodically, batch import the spatial attributes for EO reps into the tabular EO database (BCD or other), and batch export tabular attributes from the tabular database back into Biotics.
Process Description: Derivation of EOs polygons directly from field observations
Under current methodology and technology, all EOs are represented as polygon features. These features are derived from field observations that are digitized directly into GIS and buffered by locational uncertainty. Locational uncertainty can be measured/delimited directly from the field, estimated, or negligible (usually <6.25 m in all directions). Observations that are below a minimum mapping unit (12.5 m) distance in either two dimensions (points) or one dimension (lines) and that contain negligible locational uncertainty are buffered using a procedural buffer (6.25 m) to create polygons.
Process Description: Derivation of EO polygons from EO point conversion
Under older methodology and technology, embodied by the Biological and Conservation Database (BCD), EOs were originally mapped as points on paper maps and then later digitized into GIS as point features. These features were assigned a precision value that indicated the accuracy of the locality of the EO. During conversion of these EOs from points to polygons, this precision value is used to determine the buffer distance used to create the EO polygon. Point EOs with a precision value of seconds (3-second radius) are given a default buffer of 0.062 mi during polygon conversion. Point EOs with a precision value of minutes (1-minute radius) are given a default buffer of 1.491 mi. Point EOs with a precision value of general are given a default buffer of 4.971 mi.
Under this older methodology, some EOs were represented as rectangles, with the points of the rectangle representing the northernmost, southernmost, easternmost and westernmost extent of the EO. During conversion to polygons, the shape of these EOs remains a rectangle, but the feature itself is buffered by an estimated locational uncertainty distance.
Process Description: Derivation of compound EO polygons
Discrete or non-contiguous EO polygons of the same species/element can be aggregated into one compound EO depending upon the distance that separates the non-contiguous EOs. This distance, the separation distance, is the amount of intervening area that determines whether source features of an element should be grouped as part of the same (complex) element occurrence, or should be considered as discrete element occurrences. When available, separation distances are specific to species/elements. When unavailable, a default separation distance of 1km is used.
NatureServe's Central Database is linked to all the U.S. and Canadian databases of the Natural Heritage Program and Conservation Data Centre member programs through a process of regular annual data exchange and reconciliation. Once a year, member programs send their data to NatureServe Central for taxonomic and status reconciliation. If necessary, incoming member program datasets are converted from their native file format to a format that is compatible with the NatureServe Central Databases, and GIS files of Element Occurrences are reprojected to a common projection. NatureServe Central Databases are updated with the latest scientific information developed by the member programs at the state and provincial scale, including updated Element Occurrence data. In return, member program databases are updated with the latest scientific information developed at the global scale by NatureServe Central. The data exchange and reconciliation process is a primary mechanism by which network data standards are upheld, thus helping to ensure a high level of accuracy, currency and quality to the data.
EO ranks may be used effectively in conjunction with NatureServe Conservation Status Ranks for the Element to guide which occurrences should be recorded and mapped, and to help prioritize EOs for purposes of conservation planning or action, both locally and rangewide
Features developed with minimal added locational uncertainty have very high accuracy, and the accuracy category declines as a greater portion of an EO rep is attributable to added uncertainty. Thus, an EO with all underlying Source Features having negligible uncertainty has very high accuracy, while a low estimated representation accuracy value indicates that the feature was developed encompassing a significant amount of locational uncertainty. The use of the Unknown value should be restricted to only those few cases when none of the other categories can be reasonably assigned.
Although estimated representation accuracy is a subjective assessment, it is recognized that expertise and familiarity with the data generally enable the biologist to assign an appropriate value.
Risk categories and definitions:
X - EXTINCT - A species that no longer exists.
XT - EXTIRPATED - A species that no longer exists in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.
E - ENDANGERED - A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
T - THREATENED - A species that is likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
C - CANDIDATE - A species that is suspected of being in some COSEWIC category of risk of extinction or extirpation at the national level, before being examined through the status assessment process.
SC - SPECIAL CONCERN - A species of special concern because of characteristics that make it is particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events.
NAR - NOT AT RISK - A species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk.
DD - DATA DEFICIENT - A species for which there is insufficient scientific information to support status designation.
HDMS: Data_Sensitive_EO is a Y / N field with the default value of "N"; null values will be converted to "N".
EO_INTERPRETED_USESA_STATUS, STATE_INTERPRETED_USESA, INTERPRETED_USESA, AND USESA_CD.
Rank Definition
GX Presumed Extinct (species) - Believed to be extinct throughout its range. Not located despite intensive searches of historical sites and other appropriate habitat, and virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered.
GH Possibly Extinct (species) - Known from only historical occurrences, but may nevertheless still be extant; further searching needed.
G1 Critically Imperiled - Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity or because of some factor(s)making it especially vulnerable to extinction. Typically 5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining individuals (<1,000) or acres (<2,000) or linear miles (<10).
G2 Imperiled - Imperiled globally because of rarity or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extinction or elimination. Typically 6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals (1,000 to 3,000) or acres (2,000 to 10,000) or linear miles (10 to 50).
G3 Vulnerable - Vulnerable globally either because very rare and local throughout its range, found only in a restricted range (even if abundant at some locations), or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extinction or elimination. Typically 21 to 100 occurrences or between 3,000 and 10,000 individuals.
G4 Apparently Secure - Uncommon but not rare (although it may be rare in parts of its range, particularly on the periphery), and usually widespread. Apparently not vulnerable in most of its range, but possibly cause for long-term concern. Typically more than 100 occurrences and more than 10,000 individuals.
G5 Secure - Common, widespread, and abundant (although it may be rare in parts of its range, particularly on the periphery). Not vulnerable in most of its range. Typically with considerably more than 100 occurrences and more than 10,000 individuals.
G#G# Numeric range rank (with range no greater than 2); greater uncertainty about a rank is expressed by indicating the full range of ranks which may be appropriate (for example, a G1G3 rank indicates the rank could be G1, G2, or G3).
GNR Not yet ranked; status has not yet been assessed.
GNA Rank not applicable.
GU Unrankable; status cannot be determined at this time.
Qualifiers:
? Inexact numeric rank; a question mark added to a rank expresses an uncertainty about the rank in the range of 1 (i.e., +/- 1 rank either way on the 1-5 scale); for example, a G2? rank indicates that the rank is thought to be G2, but could be G1 or G3.
Q Questionable taxonomic classification; a "Q" added to a rank denotes questionable taxonomy; it modifies the degree of imperilment and is only used in cases where the element would have a less imperiled rank if it were not recognized as a valid element (i.e., if it were combined with a more common species); a GUQ rank often indicates that the element is unrankable because of daunting taxonomic questions.
http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/nsranks.htm
Rank Definition
SX - Presumed Extirpated: Element is believed to be extirpated from the subnation. Not located despite intensive searches of historical sites and other appropriate habitat, and virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered.
SH- Possibly Extirpated (Historical): Element occurred historically in the subnation, and there is some expectation that it may be rediscovered. Its presence may not have been verified in the past 20 years. An element would become SH without such a 20-year delay if the only known occurrences in subnation were destroyed or if it had been extensively and unsuccessfully looked for. Upon verification of an extant occurrence, SH-ranked elements would typically receive a S1 rank. The SH rank should be reserved for elements for which some effort has been made to relocate occurrences, rather than simply using this rank for all elements not known from verified extant occurrences.
S1- Critically Imperiled: Critically imperiled in the subnation because of extreme rarity or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the subnation. Typically 5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining individuals (<1,000).
S2 - Imperiled: Imperiled in the subnation because of rarity or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the subnation. Typically 6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals (1,000 to 3,000).
S3 - Vulnerable: Vulnerable in the subnation either because rare and uncommon, or found only in a restricted range (even if abundant at some locations), or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation. Typically 21 to 100 occurrences or between 3,000 and 10,000 individuals.
S4 - Apparently Secure: Uncommon but not rare, and usually widespread in the subnation. Possible cause of long-term concern. Usually more than 100 occurrences and more than 10,000 individuals.
S5 - Secure: Common, widespread, and abundant in the subnation. Essentially ineradicable under present conditions. Typically with considerably more than 100 occurrences and more than 10,000 individuals.
SNR - Unranked: Subnation rank not yet assessed.
SU - Unrankable: Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting information about status or trends.
S#S# - Range Rank: A numeric range rank (e.g., S2S3) is used to indicate the range of uncertainty about the exact status of the element. Ranges cannot skip more than one rank (e.g., SU is used rather than S1S4).
SNA - Rank Not Applicable due to (a) Hybrid - Element not ranked because it represents an interspecific hybrid, not a species, (b) Exotic - element is not native to the subnation), (c) Accidental / Nonregular - Element is not regularly found in the subnation, in other words, infrequent and outside usual range, (d) Not Confidently Present - Presence has been reported, but the report is unconfirmed or doubtful; Element has been falsely reported and may or may not potentially occur, (e) No definable occurrences - Element is native and appears regularly, but lacks practical conservation concern because it is transient or occurs in a dispersed, unpredictable manner, (f) Synonym
Breeding Status Qualifiers
Rank Definition
B - Breeding: Basic rank refers to the breeding population of the element in the subnation.
N - Nonbreeding: Basic rank refers to the non-breeding population of the element in the subnation.
Code - Status Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act
LE - Listed endangered
LT - Listed threatened
PE - Proposed endangered
PT - Proposed threatened
C - Candidate
SC - Special Concern
SAE - Listed endangered because of similar appearance
SAT - Listed threatened because of similar appearance
PSAE - Proposed endangered because of similar appearance
PSAT - Proposed threatened because of similar appearance
XE - Essential experimental population
XN - Nonessential experimental population
PDL - Proposed for delisting
(null) - Usually indicates that the taxon does not have any federal status. However, because of potential lag time between publication in the Federal Register and entry in the central databases, some taxa may have a status which does not yet appear. Due to taxonomic relationships and/or geographically defined status, the Element may have protection under the Act (see the Interpreted USESA Status field).
Multiple statuses - A taxon may have more than one federal status. If multiple statuses are reported in the U.S. Federal Register, they are entered in the USESA Status field separated by a comma ( , ).
The USESA Comments field is used to provide a detailed explanation of multiple USESA statuses.
Classification - Classification standards, methods, and references for plants, ecological communities, vertebrates, and invertebrates.
NatureServe Conservation Status - Conservation status ranks related relative imperilment on global, national, and subnational scales.
National Status - U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Committee on Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.
Distribution - Data sources for plants, animals, and ecological communities.
In addition, there is a summary of the processes used in plant, animal, and ecological community data development
NatureServe and the Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centres are currently in the process of implementing this standard and converting existing EO data to meet the updated methodology. Biotics Tracker and Biotics Mapper, the database software, incorporate the updated EO methodology.
2. NatureServe shall have no liability for any claim of infringement or rights by third parties based on any use of the Licensed Dataset in combination with programs, software, hardware, or equipment not designated by NatureServe, without prior written approval by NatureServe, if such infringement could have been avoided had the Licensed Dataset not been so used.
3. NatureServe shall have no liability or responsibility to the data users, or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the Licensed Dataset, including but not limited to any interruption of service, loss of business, anticipatory profits or indirect, special, or consequential damages resulting from the use or operation of the Licensed Dataset.
4. NatureServe warrants that the data and metadata in the Licensed Dataset have been accurately compiled, and reviewed to ensure compliance with NatureServe's quality control standards.
http://www.natureserve.org/getData/customData.jsp
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