Altitude_Maximum
	<altmax>

	The maximum elevation extent of coverage along
	with units of measure.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	optional

	Parent: Bounding_Altitudes



Altitude_Minimum
	<altmin>

	The minimum elevation extent of coverage along
	with units of measure.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	optional

	Parent: Bounding_Altitudes



Analytical_Tool
	<tool>

	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.

	Type: compound

	Mandatory-if-applicable

	Parent: Identification_Information

	Analytical_Tool =
		Analytical_Tool_Description +
		Tool_Access_Information +
		(Tool_Contact) +
		(Tool_Citation)

Analytical_Tool_Description
	<tooldesc>

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

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	Mandatory

	Parent: Analytical_Tool



Applicable_Common_Name
	<common>

	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.)

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	optional

	Parent: Taxonomic_Classification



ASCII_File_Structure
	<asciistr>

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

	Type: compound

	mandatory if applicable

	Parent: Digital_Transfer_Information

	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

Authentication
	<authent>

	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.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	mandatory if applicable

	Parent: ASCII_File_Structure



Beginning_Geologic_Age
	<beggeol>

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

	Type: compound


	Parent: Range_of_Dates/Times

	Beginning_Geologic_Age =
		Geologic_Age

Bounding_Altitudes
	<boundalt>

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

	Type: compound

	optional

	Parent: Bounding_Coordinates



Case_Sensitive
	<casesens>

	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".

	Type: text

	Domain:
		y
		Y
		n
		N

	mandatory

	Parent: ASCII_File_Structure



Classification_System/Authority
	<classsys>

	Information about the classification system or
	authority used.

	Type: compound

	Mandatory

	Parent: Taxonomic_System

	Classification_System/Authority =
		Classification_System_Citation +
		0{Classification_System_Modifications}1

Classification_System_Citation
	<classcit>

	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.

	Type: compound

	Mandatory

	Parent: Classification_System/Authority



Classification_System_Modifications
	<classmod>

	A description of any modifications or exceptions
	made to the classification system or authority
	used.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	Mandatory-if-applicable

	Parent: Classification_System/Authority



Data_Field
	<datafiel>

	Information describing the individual data fields
	(this would be equivalent to  columns in most
	databases).

	Type: compound

	mandatory

	Parent: ASCII_File_Structure

	Data_Field =
		Data_Field_Name +
		0{Missing_Value_Code}1 +
		[
		Data_Field_Width_Delimiter |
		Data_Field_Width ]

Data_Field_Name
	<dfieldnm>

	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.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	mandatory

	Parent: Data_Field



Data_Field_Width
	<dfwidth>

	The number of characters of the data field.

	Type: integer

	Domain: Data_Field_Width >=1

	Mandatory

	Parent: Data_Field



Data_Field_Width_Delimiter
	<dfwidthd>

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

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	Mandatory

	Parent: Data_Field



Description_of_Geographic_Extent
	<descgeog>

	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".

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	Mandatory

	Parent: Spatial_Domain



Description_of_Header_Content
	<deschead>

	Description of the information content of the
	header lines.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	optional

	Parent: ASCII_File_Structure



Ending_Geologic_Age
	<endgeol>

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

	Type: compound


	Parent: Range_of_Dates/Times

	Ending_Geologic_Age =
		Geologic_Age

General_Taxonomic_Coverage
	<taxongen>

	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."

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	optional

	Parent: Taxonomy



Geologic_Age
	<geolage>

	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.

	Type: compound


	Parent:
		Single_Date/Time
		Beginning_Geologic_Age
		Ending_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_Age_Estimate
	<geolest>

	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.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	mandatory

	Parent: Geologic_Age



Geologic_Age_Explanation
	<geolexpl>

	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.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	mandatory if applicable

	Parent: Geologic_Age



Geologic_Age_Uncertainty
	<geolun>

	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.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	mandatory if applicable

	Parent: Geologic_Age



Geologic_Citation
	<geolcit>

	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.

	Type: compound

	optional

	Parent: Geologic_Age

	Geologic_Citation =
		Citation_Information

Geologic_Time_Scale
	<geolscal>

	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.

	Type: text

	Domain:
		Absolute
		Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale
		International Geological Time Scale
		Oxygen-Isotope
		free text

	mandatory

	Parent: Geologic_Age



Identification_Reference
	<idref>

	Information on any non-authoritative materials
	(e.g. field guides) useful for reconstructing the
	actual identification process.

	Type: compound

	Mandatory-if-applicable

	Parent: Taxonomic_System



Identifier
	<ider>

	Information about the individual(s) responsible
	for the identification(s) of the specimens or
	sightings, etc.

	Type: compound

	Optional

	Parent: Taxonomic_System



Keywords/Taxon
	<keywtax>

	Taxonomic ranks or common groups characterized by
	the data set.

	Type: compound

	mandatory

	Parent: Taxonomy

	Keywords/Taxon =
		Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus +
		1{Taxonomic_Keywords}n

Methodology
	<method>

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

	Type: compound

	Mandatory-if-applicable

	Parent: Lineage

	Methodology =
		Methodology_Type +
		(1{Methodology_Identifier}n) +
		Methodology_Description +
		0{Methodology_Citation}n

Methodology_Citation
	<methcite>

	Information referencing the methods used.

	Type: compound

	Mandatory-if-applicable

	Parent: Methodology



Methodology_Description
	<methdesc>

	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.)

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	Mandatory

	Parent: Methodology



Methodology_Identifier
	<methodid>

	Keywords or phrases summarizing the field or
	laboratory methods used.

	Type: compound

	Optional

	Parent: Methodology

	Methodology_Identifier =
		Methodology_Keyword_Thesaurus +
		1{Methodology_Keyword}n

Methodology_Keyword
	<methkey>

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

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	Mandatory

	Parent: Methodology_Identifier



Methodology_Keyword_Thesaurus
	<methkt>

	Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a
	similar authoritative source of methodology
	keywords.

	Type: text

	Domain:
		None
		free text

	Mandatory

	Parent: Methodology_Identifier



Methodology_Type
	<methtype>

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

	Type: text

	Domain:
		Field
		Lab
		free text

	Mandatory

	Parent: Methodology



Missing_Value_Code
	<missingv>

	The code which represents missing data.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	mandatory if applicable

	Parent: Data_Field



Number_Header_Lines
	<numheadl>

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

	Type: integer

	Domain: Number_Header _Lines >= 0

	mandatory

	Parent: ASCII_File_Structure



Orientation
	<orienta>

	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).

	Type: text

	Domain:
		columnmajor
		rowmajor

	mandatory

	Parent: ASCII_File_Structure



Quote_Character
	<quotech>

	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.

	Type: text

	Domain:
		single quote (ASCII 39)
		double quote (ASCII 34)
		free text

	mandatory if applicable

	Parent: ASCII_File_Structure



Record_Delimiter
	<recdel>

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

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	Mandatory if applicable

	Parent: ASCII_File_Structure



Repository
	<reposit>

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

	Type: compound

	Mandatory

	Parent: Vouchers



Specimen
	<specimen>

	A word or phrase describing the type of specimen
	collected (e.g. herbarium specimens, blood
	samples, photographs, individuals, or batches).

	Type: text

	Domain:
		herbarium specimens
		blood samples
		photographs
		individuals
		free text

	Mandatory

	Parent: Vouchers



Taxon_Rank_Name
	<taxonrn>

	The name of the taxonomic rank for which the
	Taxon_Rank_Value is provided.  See the example
	included in the definition of
	Taxonomic_Classification.

	Type: text

	Domain:
		Kingdom
		Division
		Phylum
		Subphylum
		Superclass
		Class
		Subclass
		Infraclass
		Superorder
		Order
		Suborder
		Infraorder
		Superfamily
		Family
		Subfamily
		Tribe
		Subtribe
		Genus
		Species
		free text

	mandatory

	Parent: Taxonomic_Classification



Taxon_Rank_Value
	<taxonrv>

	The name representing the taxonomic rank of the
	taxon being described.  See the example included
	in the definition of Taxonomic_Classification.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	mandatory

	Parent: Taxonomic_Classification



Taxonomic_Classification
	<taxoncl>

	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_Name: Acer rubrum var. rubrum
	                Applicable_Common_Name: red maple

	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/").

	Type: compound

	Parent:
		Taxonomy
		Taxonomic_Classification

	Taxonomic_Classification =
		Taxon_Rank_Name +
		Taxon_Rank_Value +
		(0{Applicable_Common_Name}n) +
		0{Taxonomic_Classification}n

Taxonomic_Completeness
	<taxoncom>

	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.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	Mandatory-if-applicable

	Parent: Taxonomic_System



Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus
	<taxonkt>

	Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or
	similar authoritative source of taxonomic
	keywords.

	Type: text

	Domain:
		None
		free text

	mandatory

	Parent: Keywords/Taxon



Taxonomic_Keywords
	<taxonkey>

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

	Type: text

	Domain:
		collection
		multiple species
		single species
		amphibians
		animals
		bacteria
		fungi
		invertebrates
		lichens
		mammals
		mosses
		plants
		protists
		reptiles
		vegetation
		vertebrates
		viruses
		free text

	Mandatory

	Parent: Keywords/Taxon



Taxonomic_Procedures
	<taxonpro>

	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.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	Mandatory

	Parent: Taxonomic_System



Taxonomic_System
	<taxonsys>

	Documentation of taxonomic sources, procedures,
	and treatments.

	Type: compound

	Mandatory-if-applicable

	Parent: Taxonomy

	Taxonomic_System =
		1{Classification_System/Authority}n +
		0{Identification_Reference}n +
		(1{Identifier}n) +
		Taxonomic_Procedures +
		0{Taxonomic_Completeness}1 +
		0{Vouchers}n

Taxonomy
	<taxonomy>

	Information on the taxa (1 or more) included in
	the data set, including keywords, taxonomic system
	and coverage information, and taxonomic
	classification system.

	Type: compound

	Mandatory-if-applicable

	Parent: Identification_Information

	Taxonomy =
		1{Keywords/Taxon}n +
		0{Taxonomic_System}1 +
		(General_Taxonomic_Coverage) +
		Taxonomic_Classification

Tool_Access_Information
	<toolacc>

	Information on the steps required to access the
	tool.

	Type: compound

	Mandatory

	Parent: Analytical_Tool

	Tool_Access_Information =
		0{Online_Linkage}n +
		Tool_Access_Instructions +
		(Tool_Computer_and_Operating_System)

Tool_Access_Instructions
	<toolinst>

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

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	Mandatory

	Parent: Tool_Access_Information



Tool_Citation
	<toolcite>

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

	Type: compound

	Optional

	Parent: Analytical_Tool



Tool_Computer_and_Operating_System
	<toolcomp>

	The brand of computer and its operating system
	that the tool, model, or statistical procedure
	requires.

	Type: text

	Domain: free text

	Optional

	Parent: Tool_Access_Information



Tool_Contact
	<toolcont>

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

	Type: compound

	Optional

	Parent: Analytical_Tool



Vouchers
	<vouchers>

	Information on the types of specimen, the
	repository, and the individuals who identified the
	vouchers.

	Type: compound

	Mandatory-if-applicable

	Parent: Taxonomic_System

	Vouchers =
		Specimen +
		Repository

