Extension_Information: Name: Description_of_Geographic_Extent Short_Name: descgeog z3950: 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" 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 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: text Domain: free text Parent: Bounding_Altitudes Optionality: optional Definition: The minimum elevation extent of coverage along with units of measure. Rationale: To be able to locate the vertical extent of a data set in association with its horizontal extent. Source: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Altitude_Maximum Short_Name: altmax Type: text Domain: free text Parent: Bounding_Altitudes Optionality: optional Definition: The maximum elevation extent of coverage along with units of measure. Rationale: To be able to locate the vertical extent of a data set in association with its horizontal extent. Source: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Taxonomy Short_Name: taxonomy z3950: 4001 Type: compound Rule: Taxonomy = 1{Keywords/Taxon}n + 0{Taxonomic_System}1 + (General_Taxonomic_Coverage) + Taxonomic_Classification Parent: Identification_Information Child: Keywords/Taxon Child: Taxonomic_System Child: General_Taxonomic_Coverage Child: Taxonomic_Classification 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, 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 Child: Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus Child: Taxonomic_Keywords 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 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. Source: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Taxonomic_Keywords Short_Name: taxonkey z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Taxonomic_System Short_Name: taxonsys z3950: 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 Child: Classification_System/Authority Child: Identification_Reference Child: Identifier Child: Taxonomic_Procedures Child: Taxonomic_Completeness Child: Vouchers 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Classification_System/Authority Short_Name: classsys z3950: 4029 Type: compound Rule: Classification_System/Authority = Classification_System_Citation + 0{Classification_System_Modifications}1 Parent: Taxonomic_System Child: Classification_System_Citation Child: Classification_System_Modifications 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Classification_System_Citation Short_Name: classcit z3950: 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) should be used. Source: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Classification_System_Modifications Short_Name: classmod z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Identification_Reference Short_Name: idref z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Identifier Short_Name: ider z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Taxonomic_Procedures Short_Name: taxonpro z3950: 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 did they used to do so. Source: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Taxonomic_Completeness Short_Name: taxoncom z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Vouchers Short_Name: vouchers z3950: 4033 Type: compound Rule: Vouchers = Specimen + Repository Parent: Taxonomic_System Child: Specimen Child: Repository 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Specimen Short_Name: specimen z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Repository Short_Name: reposit z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: General_Taxonomic_Coverage Short_Name: taxongen z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Taxonomic_Classification Short_Name: taxoncl z3950: 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 Child: Taxon_Rank_Name Child: Taxon_Rank_Value Child: Applicable_Common_Name Child: 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_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/"). 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Taxon_Rank_Name Short_Name: taxonrn z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Applicable_Common_Name Short_Name: common z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Analytical_Tool Short_Name: tool z3950: 4013 Type: compound Rule: Analytical_Tool = Analytical_Tool_Description + Tool_Access_Information + (Tool_Contact) + (Tool_Citation) Parent: Identification_Information Child: Analytical_Tool_Description Child: Tool_Access_Information Child: Tool_Contact Child: Tool_Citation 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Analytical_Tool_Description Short_Name: tooldesc z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Tool_Access_Information Short_Name: toolacc z3950: 4015 Type: compound Rule: Tool_Access_Information = 0{Online_Linkage}n + Tool_Access_Instructions + (Tool_Computer_and_Operating_System) Parent: Analytical_Tool Child: Online_Linkage Child: Tool_Access_Instructions Child: Tool_Computer_and_Operating_System Optionality: Mandatory Definition: Information on the steps required to access the tool. Source: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Tool_Contact Short_Name: toolcont z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Tool_Citation Short_Name: toolcite z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Tool_Access_Instructions Short_Name: toolinst z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Tool_Computer_and_Operating_System Short_Name: toolcomp z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Methodology Short_Name: method z3950: 4021 Type: compound Rule: Methodology = Methodology_Type + (1{Methodology_Identifier}n) + Methodology_Description + 0{Methodology_Citation}n Parent: Lineage Child: Methodology_Type Child: Methodology_Identifier Child: Methodology_Description Child: Methodology_Citation 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Methodology_Type Short_Name: methtype z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Methodology_Identifier Short_Name: methodid z3950: 4023 Type: compound Rule: Methodology_Identifier = Methodology_Keyword_Thesaurus + 1{Methodology_Keyword}n Parent: Methodology Child: Methodology_Keyword_Thesaurus Child: Methodology_Keyword 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Methodology_Keyword_Thesaurus Short_Name: methkt z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Methodology_Keyword Short_Name: methkey z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Methodology_Description Short_Name: methdesc z3950: 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Methodology_Citation Short_Name: methcite z3950: 4027 Type: compound Child: Citation_Information Parent: Methodology Optionality: Mandatory-if-applicable Definition: Information referencing the methods used. Source: National Biological Information Infrastructure, 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 Child: Record_Delimiter Child: Number_Header_Lines Child: Description_of_Header_Content Child: Orientation Child: Case_Sensitive Child: Authentication Child: Quote_Character Child: Data_Field 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 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, 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 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, 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 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, 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 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, 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 Child: Data_Field_Name Child: Missing_Value_Code Child: Data_Field_Width_Delimiter Child: Data_Field_Width 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 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, 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Data_Field_Width_Delimiter Short_Name: dfwidthd Type: text Domain: free text Parent: Data_Field Optionality: Mandatory 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, 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 Optionality: Mandatory 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, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Beginning_Geologic_Age Short_Name: beggeol Type: Compound Rule: Beginning_Geologic_Age = Geologic_Age Parent: Range_of_Dates/Times Child: Geologic_Age 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: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Ending_Geologic_Age Short_Name: endgeol Type: Compound Rule: Ending_Geologic_Age = Geologic_Age Parent: Range_of_Dates/Times Child: Geologic_Age 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: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Geologic_Age Short_Name: geolage 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) Parent: Single_Date/Time Parent: Beginning_Geologic_Age Parent: Ending_Geologic_Age Child: Geologic_Time_Scale Child: Geologic_Age_Estimate Child: Geologic_Age_Uncertainty Child: Geologic_Age_Explanation Child: Geologic_Citation 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: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 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: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 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: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 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: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group 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: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group Extension_Information: Name: Geologic_Citation Short_Name: geolcit Type: compound Rule: Geologic_Citation = Citation_Information Parent: Geologic_Age Child: Citation_Information 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: National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS Biological Resources Division, FGDC Biological Data Working Group