Chesapeake
Information Management System
Metadata Reporting Guidelines
Chesapeake Bay Program
September 1998
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Printed on Recycled Paper
by the Chesapeake Bay Program
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Chesapeake Bay Program
Information Access Strategy
The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership
leading and directing restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since
1983. The Chesapeake Bay Program partners include the state of
Maryland; commonwealths of Pennsylvania and Virginia; the
District of Columbia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state
legislative body; the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency,
which represents the federal government; and participating citizen
advisory groups.
In 1996, the Chesapeake Executive Council adopted the
Chesapeake Bay Program's "Strategy for Increasing Basin-wide
Public Access to Chesapeake Bay Information. " The strategy calls
for development of a shared resource of information, that is
available through the Internet, based on standards and protocols
that facilitate access to information and data across agency and
jurisdictional boundaries.
The Chesapeake Information Management System (CIMS) is being
created to implement this strategy. CIMS will be a coordinated,
user-friendly system designed as a distributed network among
participating organizations throughout the watershed and
nationwide. The online address is www.chesapeakebay.net
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Chesapeake
Information Management System
Metadata Reporting Guidelines
September 1998
Based on:
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Federal Geographic Data Committee
FGDC-STD-001-1998
Revised June 1999
and
DRAFT
Content Standard for National Biological Information
Infrastructure Metadata
National Biological Service
December 1995
Chesapeake Bay Program
410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109
Annapolis, Maryland 21403
1-800-YOUR-BAY
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/bayprogram
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Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. BACKGROUND 3
A. What is Metadata? 3
B. Why are Metadata Important to CIMS? 7
C. Other Efforts to Compile Metadata 7
III. CIMS METADATA 10
A. The Origin of CIMS Metadata 10
B. CIMS Metadata: A Comprehensive Package 13
IV. HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT 14
A. Organization 14
B. Where do I Begin? 18
V. CIMS Level 1 Metadata 20
A. Overview 20
B. CIMS Level 1 - Summary of Unique Elements 21
VI. CIMS Level 2 Metadata 48
A. Overview 48
B. CIMS Level 2 - Summary of Unique Elements 49
C. CIMS Level 2 - Element Descriptions 51
VII. CIMS Level 3 Metadata 68
A. Overview 68
B. CIMS Level 3 - Summary of Unique Elements 69
C. CIMS Level 3 - Element Descriptions 71
Appendix A - CIMS Data Originator/Organization List
Appendix B - CIMS Specific Place Names List
Appendix C - Additional Metadata Guidance for Publications
Appendix D - URL Reference List
Glossary
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I. INTRODUCTION
This document presents reporting guidelines for the metadata, or descriptive information, that
should accompany any information1 generated by the Chesapeake Bay Program and its partners,
or others wishing to participate in the Chesapeake Information Management System (CIMS).
In 1996, the Chesapeake Executive Council adopted the Strategy for Increasing Basin-wide
Public Access to Chesapeake Bay Information. The Strategy calls for development of a shared
resource of information, available through the Internet, and based on standards and protocols that
facilitate access to information and data across agency and jurisdictional boundaries. CIMS was
created as the framework to carry out the Strategy. Within CIMS, it is necessary to have
consistent standards and uniformity for recording and reporting data and information to allow
users in different locations to access the data and information they need. The foundation to this
level of consistency and uniformity is metadata. Metadata provide basic documentation about the
source, content, and quality of data and other information.
The purpose of this document is to guide CIMS participants in entering metadata about data and
documents in such a way that the metadata can be effectively searched and the data or documents
accessed and queried by a variety of users. This document is also browsable on the CIMS Web
page at: (http://www.chesapeakebay.net).
This document is arranged in the following sections:
Section I - Introduction. Includes a description of the 1996 Chesapeake Executive
Council Strategy for Increasing Basin-wide Public Access to Chesapeake Bay
Information and the role of metadata in supporting that strategy, as well as a description
of the purpose and intended use of this document.
Section II - Background. Defines metadata; explains why metadata are important;
explains the need for and utility of metadata; and describes the relationship between CIMS
metadata and the Federal Geographic Data Committee and National Biological
Information Infrastructure metadata standards.
Section III - CIMS Metadata. Describes in detail the origins of the CIMS metadata
guidelines, and the differences between these guidelines and the Federal Geographic Data
Committee (FGDC) and National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) metadata
standards. Also describes the role and importance of metadata within CIMS, including
descriptions of related CIMS components such as the planned metadata entry tool,
metadata database, and metadata search engine.
1 Information, as used in this document, refers to any type, group, or set of data, documents, publications,
images, or other item or group of items that can be accessed through CIMS.
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Section IV - How to Use this Document. Describes the organization of the remaining
sections of this document, and provides definitions of the various components of metadata
that users must understand. Also provides guidelines on the applicability of the three
CEVIS Metadata Levels, and categorizes and describes in sequence the initial steps
necessary to use this document as a reference when creating metadata.
Section V - CIMS Level 1 Metadata. Explains the purpose of CEVIS Level 1 Metadata
(minimum metadata required for all information types). Provides a summary table of all
Level 1 metadata elements, followed by detailed descriptions of each element.
Section VI - CIMS Level 2 Metadata. Explains the purpose of CEVIS Level 2 Metadata
(required information for non-spatial, tabular data). Provides a summary table of all Level
2 metadata elements, followed by detailed descriptions of each element.
Section VII - CIMS Level 3 Metadata. Explains the purpose of CEVIS Level 3
Metadata (required information for spatially-referenced data). Provides a summary table
of all Level 3 metadata elements, followed by detailed descriptions of each element.
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II. BACKGROUND
A. What is Metadata?
Descriptive information about datasets and data processing, and other types of information is
called metadata. Metadata are essential to enable the effective transfer of information to data
users and the general public. It describes the content, quality, usability, access instructions, and
other characteristics about data and publications. Metadata are essentially the electronic card
catalog for data and other publications such as reports and multimedia presentations. Different
levels of detail can be provided, but at a minimum sufficient detail should be provided that an
individual searching for the dataset or document in question can find it and quickly determine its
contents, among other characteristics. The minimum metadata required to allow automated,
computer-driven searching capability are defined in Section V, CIMS Metadata Level 1, of this
document. Metadata can be used to identify datasets or publications of interest, to provide
understanding about assumptions made during data collection, and provide names and telephone
numbers of contacts who can answer questions about the data or document.
A metadata record contains the documentation for one dataset or publication. For example there
is a Chesapeake Bay Program multimedia presentation called "Touch the Bay." As part of CIMS,
a metadata record will be entered into the metadata database for this multimedia presentation.
Another example is the publication titled "State of the Chesapeake Bay 1995." The Chesapeake
Bay Program publishes this report intended to provide an update on the health of the Bay. Below
is an example of a metadata record for this publication:
Identification information:
Citation:
Citation Information:
Originator: Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP)
Publication _Date: 1995
Title: The State of the Chesapeake Bay 1995
Publication information:
Publication _Place:
410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109, Annapolis, MD 21403
Publisher:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay
Program Office (USEPA CBPO)
Information Type (Data Presentation Form): document
Description:
Abstract:
The State of the Chesapeake Bay is a semi-annual report that attempts to
capture the major elements of the Chesapeake Bay's health. Findings reflect
the current perceptions of scientists, managers and citizens as to what
constitutes the state of the Bay. It contains many traditional measures such as
seafood harvests, water quality and the amounts of pollution reaching the Bay.
There is also information about the impacts of humans on the Bay, such as the
specific linkages between pollution and water quality and living resources such
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as fish, shellfish and waterfowl.
Purpose:
To provide information to the general public about the health of the
Chesapeake Bay.
Supplemental Information: General Public
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range _of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 1650
Ending_Date: 1994
Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Biannually
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinates: -80.515
East _Bounding_Coordinates: -74.592
North_Bounding_Coordinates: 42.940
South_Bounding_Coordinates: 36.7
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: Birds
Theme_Keyword: Contaminant
Theme_Keyword: Fishery
Theme_Keyword: Forest
Theme_Keyword: Habitat
Theme_Keyword: Land
Theme_Keyword: Land Cover
Theme_Keyword: Land Use
Theme_Keyword: Rivers
Theme_Keyword: Highly Summarized
Theme_Keyword: Report
Theme_Keyword: Plants
Theme_Keyword: Water
Theme_Keyword: Watershed
Theme_Keyword: Wetlands
Theme_Keyword: Wildlife
Theme_Keyword: Bay Grasses
Theme_Keyword: Blue Crabs
Theme_Keyword: CBP
Theme_Keyword: Chesapeake Bay Program
Theme_Keyword: Conservation
Theme_Keyword: Development
Theme_Keyword: Ecosystem
Theme_Keyword: Management
Theme_Keyword: Finfish
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Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Theme Keyword:
Fish
Passage
Buffers
History
Monitoring
Nitrogen
Phosphorous
Nonpoint Source
Pollution
Nutrient
Oysters
Plankton
Point Source
Population
Restoration
Salinity
SAV
Sediments
Sewage
Shoreline
Soil
Temperature
Tidal
Toxic
Toxics
Trends
Tributary
Strategy
Urban
Wastewater Treatment
Water Quality
Waterfowl
Place:
Place_Keyword Thesaurus:
Place_Keyword: DE
Place_Keyword: DC
Place_Keyword: MD
Place_Keyword: NY
Place_Keyword: PA
Place_Keyword: VA
Place_Keyword: WV
AccessConstraints: None
Use Constraints: Citation Required
None
Distribution ^Information:
Distributor:
Contact ^Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
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CBP September 1998
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Contact_Organization:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay
Program Office (USEPA CBPO)
Contact^ ddress:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109
City: Annapolis
State_or_Province: MD
Postal_Code: 21403
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 18009687229
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 4102675777
Distribution Liability:
This document is intended to provide general information only. The
Chesapeake Bay Program shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use
of the data described and/or contained herein.
Metadata_Reference ^Information:
Metadata_Date: 19971003
Metadata Contact:
Contact ^Information:
ContactOrganization ^Primary:
Contact ^Organization:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay
Program Office (USEPA CBPO)
Contact_A ddress:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109
City: Annapolis
State_or^Province: MD
Postal_Code: 21403
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 18009667227
Contact_Facsimile^Telephone: 4102675777
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata Standard Version: 19980608
Metadata should be created for any data or document that must be accessible to a variety of
people and / or organizations. Some examples of data or documents suitable for associated
metadata include the following:
• GIS datasets of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, such as those used in the Watershed
Model
• The document Identification of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in the Chesapeake Bay
Fish species databases
• Touch the Bay multimedia presentation
Photo galleries.
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To ensure metadata information is accurate, it should be created no later than the release or
publication date of the data or publication, and updated whenever necessary, which is any time
information about the data or publication changes. Information that can commonly change
includes the contact name or telephone number, the URL for the data or document, or the data or
document update or release date.
B. Why are Metadata Important to CIMS?
In the context of CIMS, metadata are critical. Although metadata provide all of the information
described above, they will also be used to search and query information about the Chesapeake
Bay. All metadata will be entered into a database, and analytical tools will access this database to
conduct searches or queries requested by the user. The analytical tools or search engine will
allow users to search for information meeting their needs, and select specific information to view
and / or download. For example a user can search for all multimedia presentations for the General
Public, or a teacher will be able to search for all materials relevant to K-12 students on
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) habitat. Users accessing CIMS through the Internet can
search for information by querying the metadata stored in the database using criteria they specify.
The user may be you trying to research information to perform your job. Having this information
available through the Internet will save you time previously required to research and contact other
organizations for this information. The user may be a scientist, an educator, a manager, or a
student who will be now be able to find information quickly and efficiently. This will save time
previously required for public outreach allowing everyone to perform their job more efficiently.
This metadata will effectively serve as a marketing tool to promote the results of contributors
hard work. It is therefore critical that metadata be conscientiously entered for all data and
documents. Effective metadata are the key to the successful implementation of CIMS.
C. Other Efforts to Compile Metadata
The realization of how important metadata are has many organizations and institutions preparing
metadata. Because information sharing is important to a wide variety of user communities,
standards have been developed to facilitate the collection and recording of metadata. An
Executive Order (EO) was given regarding data acquisition and access. In response to this EO,
the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) was created and these data acquisition efforts are
lead by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). Described below are three such
initiatives relevant to the creation of the CIMS Metadata Guidelines.
Executive Order 12906
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All federal agencies are required to comply with Executive Order 12906, Coordinating
Geographic Data Acquisition and Access: The National Spatial Data Infrastructure
(http://www.fgdc.gov/Communications/GenInfo/execord.html). One section of this Executive
Order relates to standardized documentation of data. It states that"... each agency shall
document all new [beginning January 1, 1995] geospatial data it collects or produces, either
directly or indirectly, using the standard under development by the FGDC [the Federal
Geographic Data Committee, described below], and make that standardized documentation
electronically accessible...."
The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)
Much data are geospatial, or referenced to a location on the earth. The NSDI has been created to
establish policies, standards, and procedures for organizations to cooperatively produce and share
geospatial data. The FGDC has assumed leadership in the evolution of the NSDI in cooperation
with State and local governments, academia, and the private sector.
The FGDC has developed the document Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata,
Version 1.0, which can be found on the Internet at the following address:
(http://www.fgdc.gov/Metadata/ContStan.html). The standard provides a common set of
terminologies and definitions for the documentation of geospatial data. The standard establishes
the names of data fields and groups of data fields to be used for these purposes, the definitions of
these data fields and groups, and information about the values that are to be provided for the data
fields. Information about metadata terms that are mandatory, mandatory under certain conditions,
and optional (i.e., provided at the discretion of the data provider) are also provided by the
standard.
The FGDC Standard is comprehensive and can be modified to meet the needs of more than
geospatial data. At this time the FGDC Standard is being revised to accommodate additional
fields and field values for data applicable to a wider scope of user communities, such as that of
biological data, and other non-geospatial information types. The FGDC Geospatial Metadata
Content Standard - Revision 2 is anticipated to be available in Fall 1997. The idea is that large
user communities may modify or extend the FGDC standard for their information needs. For
example, fields relevant to biological data may be added, or specific values for data format may be
further defined for non-geospatial data. These extensions would be called a profile and would be
formally approved by FGDC. These profiles could then be adopted by other organizations.
Federal agencies which adopt a profile would meet the requirements of Executive Order 12906.
The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII)
In an effort to make data and information on biological resources more accessible for more
people, the U.S. Geological Survey's Biological Research Division (BRD), previously known as
the National Biological Service (NBS), has developed a national partnership for sharing biological
information: the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII). The NBII provides
information about, and access to, biological data and information that is maintained by Federal,
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State, and local governments, and non-government organizations. The FGDC Standard is
specifically designed for geospatial data, and does not include fields specific to biological data.
Based on the FGDC Standard, NBII developed the Content Standard for National Biological
Information Infrastructure. This Standard is a superset of FGDC and contains additional
information specifically designed for biological data (e.g., taxonomy, and laboratory and field
methods) and will most likely be one of the first profiles submitted to FGDC for Revision 2.
These existing standards can be found online at a number of locations, including:
http://www.mews.org/nsdi/ - original and draft revision of FGDC Standard
• http://www.nbs.gov/nbii/non-spatial.html - instructions to download draft NBII Standard
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III. CIMS METADATA
A. The Origin of CIMS Metadata
One of the main goals of CIMS is to provide users with the ability to search for and select
information to view and / or download. Capabilities include searching for water quality
monitoring data by Chesapeake Bay Program personnel, searching for all multimedia
presentations for the general public, and searching for all materials relevant to K-12 students.
Answering these questions will require querying the metadata stored in the database. This makes
development and maintenance of metadata crucial to the success of CIMS.
The development of CIMS metadata guidelines required careful evaluation of the types of
information that users want to search for and how users will want to conduct their search. The
result of this evaluation was the driving force in developing CIMS metadata guidelines to meet
user needs.
A standard provides a common set of terms and definitions for the documentation of data. It
establishes the names of data fields and groups of data fields to be used for these purposes, the
definitions of these data fields and groups, and information about the values that are to be
provided for the data fields. A standard also provides information about what fields are required
and under what conditions. Guidelines provide recommendations and suggestions on interpreting
and applying a standard for a specific purpose.
In developing CIMS metadata guidelines, the Chesapeake Bay Program worked with existing,
well-recognized and accepted standards, evaluating them for the unique needs of CIMS. Rather
than duplicate efforts, CIMS metadata guidelines are built on the efforts expended by, and the
expert knowledge of others. The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) and National
Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) Metadata Standards were adopted and modified by
CIMS for the following reasons:
The FGDC and NBII Standards are comprehensive and well-defined.
• The FGDC Standard was developed specifically for geospatial information, and much
information regarding the Chesapeake Bay is geospatial.
• Biological data are another significant contribution to the wealth of Chesapeake Bay
information and therefore the biological extensions of NBII are desired.
• Much of the Chesapeake Bay information has been funded by Federal monies, and
therefore the information must adhere to the FGDC Metadata Standard as directed by EO
12906.
One of the main goals of the search component of CIMS is to be able to access a wide
range of information types. Using one standard to describe these information types will
facilitate this ability. With some modifications, the FGDC Standard can be modified to
handle these information types in addition to geospatial information.
The public review process for Revision 2 of the FGDC Standard provided CBP the
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opportunity to provide input to the FGDC Metadata Standard to suit the needs of CIMS.
The remainder of this document provides guidelines on how to interpret and apply the FGDC
Metadata Standard to ensure Chesapeake Bay information can be searched, and queried as part of
CUVIS. These guidelines have been developed so data documentation is captured consistently
among data generators throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and that it adheres to the
FGDC Standard dated June 8, 1994.
It is important to note that this is a living document. As CIMS evolves and FGDC and
NBII Metadata Standards are revised, this document will be updated to reflect these
changes.
There are seven main chapters or number sections in the FGDC and NBII metadata standards:
• Section 1 - Identification Information
Section 2 - Data Quality
• Section 3 - Spatial Data Organization Information
Section 4 - Spatial Reference Information
• Section 5 - Entity & Attribute Information
• Section 6 - Distribution Information
• Section 7 - Metadata Reference Information
The sections themselves and the elements in each section are categorized into 3 levels:
"Mandatory" meaning it must be provided
• "Mandatory If Applicable" meaning it must be provided if the section or element is
relevant to the dataset or document
• "OptionaP'meaning information can be provided if desired
The FGDC metadata elements have also been grouped, for the purposes of CIMS, into three
levels. Several organizations including University of Maryland Baltimore County2 (UMBC) are
also adopting a three-tier approach to implementing metadata. The purpose of each CIMS level is
described as follows.
Level 1
The elements in Level 1 of CIMS metadata are the minimum information required to
search the CIMS metadata database as previously determined. Level 1 of CEVIS metadata
include all of the FGDC elements classified as "Mandatory." Elements in Level 1 are
2Foresman, T.W., Wiggins, H.V., Porter, D.L. 1996. Metadata Myth: Misunderstanding the Implications
of Federal Metadata Standards. First IEEE Metadata Conference. Silver Spring, MD.
Kuhlman, K.M., Soffer, A., Foresman, T. W. 1997. Development of a Three-Tier Metadata
Documentation Scheme: Examining Level I as an Internet Accessible Metadata Input and Search Tool. Second
IEEE Metadata Conference. Silver Spring, MD.
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required for all information types including maps, publications, and multimedia
presentations. Filling out all Level 1 metadata elements does not necessarily ensure that
the entry is FGDC compliant, as CIMS Level 1 metadata do not account for all of the
FGDC "Mandatory If Applicable" elements.
CIMS metadata Level 1 consists of selected information FGDC sections 1, 6, and 7 -
Identification Information, Distribution Information, and Metadata Reference Information
of the FGDC and NBII Metadata Standards. Note that not all FGDC elements from these
sections are included in CIMS Level 1; there may be other elements that are relevant for
your type of information and therefore you are encouraged to fill out additional relevant
elements so others can easily search for your entry.
Refer to CIMS Level 1 Metadata in Section V for details.
Level 2
The elements in Level 2 of CIMS metadata are required to query and analyze the tabular
data in CIMS. This level of metadata are not usually needed for nontechnical documents.
Level 2 contains those metadata elements in Level 1 as well as additional elements from
sections 2 and 5 - Data Quality and Entity & Attribute Information of the FGDC and NBII
Metadata Standards.
Note that not all FGDC elements from these sections are included in CIMS Level 2; there
may be other elements that are relevant for your type of information and therefore you are
encouraged to fill out additional relevant elements so others can easily search for your
entry.
Refer to CIMS Level 2 Metadata in Section VI for details.
Level 3
The elements in Level 3 of CIMS metadata are those required to query and analyze GIS or
spatially referenced data. Level 3 contains those elements in Levels 1 and 2 as well as
additional elements from section 4 - Spatial Reference Information of the FGDC and NBII
Metadata Standards.
Again, note that not all FGDC elements from these sections are included in CIMS Level 3;
there may be other elements that are relevant for your type of information and therefore
you are encouraged to fill out additional relevant elements so others can easily search for
your entry.
Refer to CIMS Level 3 Metadata in Section VII for details.
B. CIMS Metadata: A Comprehensive Package
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This report provides guidance on the content of CIMS metadata. The guidelines presented in this
document are part of a comprehensive metadata package. Other elements of the package include:
Tools. An evaluation of existing metadata entry tools was performed to determine which
are best suited for CEVIS, and which can be customized to meet the needs of CIMS. The
NBII MetaMaker tool was chosen and has been customized to meet the needs of CIMS.
In addition, a new front end to MetaMaker has been created for the CIMS Levels of
metadata. This tool is called C-MEnT, CEVIS - Metadata Entry Tool, the foundation of
CIMS. See the CEVIS webpage (www.chesapeakebay.net/tools) for instructions on how
to get C-MEnT and the customized MetaMaker.
Database. The metadata database is the where the metadata will be stored. Along with
the evaluation of metadata entry tools, an evaluation of database management systems is
also underway to determine which is best suited to store and provide access to the
metadata. A metadata database will be designed and implemented in the selected system
to ensure the metadata adheres to the CEVIS guidelines. The metadata entry tools will be
used to put information into this metadata database.
• Search Engine. The search engine will be the heart of CEVIS by allowing users to search
for information meeting their needs, and select specific information to view and / or
download. For example a user can search for all multimedia presentations for the general
public, or a teacher will be able to search for all materials relevant to K-12 students. This
will be accomplished by querying the metadata stored in the database using criteria the
user specifies. The guidelines in this document were created to facilitate this search
capability. As the entry tools and database are being put into place, a search engine will
be developed that accesses the metadata base and takes subsequent action based on the
information that is found.
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IV. HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT
This document provides guidance to CIMS participants on how to interpret and apply the FGDC
Metadata Standard to data and documents to ensure the metadata can be efficiently and
effectively searched, and the information queried by a variety of users as part of the CIMS. These
guidelines have been developed to ensure documentation is captured consistently among data
generators throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and that it adheres to the FGDC Metadata
Standard dated June 8, 1994.
A. Organization
CIMS metadata elements or fields are grouped into three categories or levels: Level 1, Level 2,
and Level 3. To be CIMS compliant you must fill out the level of metadata applicable to your
informational product. The elements in Level 1 of CIMS metadata are the minimum required to
provide the CIMS search functionality and must be filled out for all informational products
including maps, publications, and multimedia presentations.
For tabular data, that is not referenced by geographic coordinates, both Level 1 and Level 2
elements must be filled out. For spatially referenced data such as tabular datasets with
coordinates and GIS data, all three levels of CIMS metadata must be filled out. Details regarding
Levels 1, 2 and 3 are presented in the following three sections; Sections V, VI, and VII,
respectively.
Each section presenting details of a Level is composed of:
• Overview
The overview explains the purpose of the level, what information is included in this level,
and any general comments about how the individual pieces of information or elements
should be entered for CIMS.
• Summary of Unique Elements Table
This table lists the individual pieces of information that are unique to this level. The Table
has five columns, with the following headings: Metadata Section, Compound Element,
Paragraph Number, Element Name, and Repeat.
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Definitions of table column headings:
Metadata
Section
Compound Element
FGDC
(NBII)
Paragraph
Number
Element Name
Repeat
Metadata Section: The name of the main FGDC Section or Chapter.
Compound Element: The name of the FGDC compound element. A compound element
represents a higher level concept that cannot be represented by an individual data element.
It refers to a group of related data elements or other compound elements
Paragraph Number: The FGDC paragraph number, and the NBII paragraph number in
parentheses if different. The FGDC paragraph number is the number used in the FGDC
Workbook and Content Standard to refer to a specific data element, and will allow the
user to easily refer back to the summary table.
A paragraph number illustrates the hierarchical structure of the metadata standard by
concatenating numbers of section and elements with dots "." (for example, 1.3.9.9.1).
The first number corresponds to the Metadata Section name, followed by the number of
the compound element within the section this piece of information is grouped under.
Elements may be nested within multiple compound elements; an element is uniquely
numbered within a compound element. Compound elements may be nested, and therefore
a paragraph number is of variable length. The last number specifies the number of the
individual pieces of information within its parent compound element.
Element Name: The name of the data element. A data element is a logically primitive
item of data. These are the things you "fill in."
Repeat: Repeat refers to whether or not multiple entries are allowed for the individual
element or all elements in a compound element. If an individual data element may be
entered or repeated multiple times this column will be filled in with a /. If an entire
compound element may be entered or repeated multiple times, each data element will be
filled in with a +. There are times where a compound element may be repeated, and the
individual element may be repeated within one instance of the compound element. These
elements will be noted with +/. For example the compound element, Source Information
- Citation, may be repeated multiple times. And within the Source Information, Citation,
there may be several Originators or organizations involved in producing a source dataset.
Therefore, this element will be noted with +/.
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What does Bolded Text in the Tables Mean?
In the tables, some of the Compound Elements are bolded. Bolded compound elements
are references to supporting sections of the FGDC Metadata Standard. As stated earlier
there are seven main sections to the standard. In addition, there are three supporting
sections, Section 8 Citation, Section 9 Time Period, and Section 10 Contact. These
sections provide a common method to define citation, temporal, and contact information.
These sections are referred to in several places throughout the Standard, and are never
used alone. To highlight which elements refer to these supporting sections, the
Compound Element name has been bolded. In the hardcopy document, the portion of the
paragraph number referring to the supporting section is also bolded.
For example, Calendar Date is identified by paragraph number 9.1.1 in suppporting section
9, Time Period Information. The Calendar Date is referred serveral times in the standard
for different purposes.
First it is referred to in section 1, Identification Information, element 3 for Time Period of
Content (1.3). Therefore, Calendar Date for the document content is referenced by
paragraph number 1.3.9.1.1.
Calendar Date is also referred to in Section 2, Data Quality, under the nested compound
element, Lineage, Source Information, Source Time Period of Content, 2.5.1.4. In this
section the Calendar Date for source content is referenced by paragraph number
2.5.4.1.9.1.1.
What do Bolded Lines in the Tables Mean?
Bolded lines in the tables for Levels 1-3 encircle groups of elements where there is a
choice between an element and group of elements and another element or group of
elements. For example, in the table CIMS Level 1 Metadata Summary Table, the
compound element "Time Period of Content" contains four elements. Three of these
elements are contained within a bolded box. To the left of the bolded box is a notation
indicating that a Single OR Multiple Date(s)/Time(s) may be entered for a dataset or
document in which case element 1.3.9.1.1 Calendar Date(s) for Content would be filled in.
Or a Range of Dates/Times may be more applicable for the data or document. Therefore,
the Beginning Date for Content and Ending Date for Content (elements 1.3.9.3.1 and
1.3.9.3.3, respectively) should be filled in. Bolded lines and boxes indicating this type of
either-or choice are located in several places in the tables for Levels 1 through 3.
These bold boxes may be nested. Such is the case in Section 6 - Distribution Information.
There is a box around URL and Offline Media, as well as one around format version
number or date. Both of these are straight forward. But encompassing all of this is the
distinction between non-digital form and digital. In this case, at least non-digital form or
digital information must be filled out. Digital form starts with Format Name and continues
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through Offline Media. But if the data or document is available both in non-digital and
digital forms, both sections may be filled out.
Element Descriptions
Details of the individual pieces of information or data elements are included in this section.
The descriptions of the elements include the FGDC Paragraph Number, Element name,
Definition, and Domain, as well as Example and Comments. The format is illustrated
below with each component defined.
Paragraph No.: The FGDC paragraph number is the number used in the FGDC Workbook and Content
Standard to refer to a specific element, and will allow the user to easily refer back to
the table. The FGDC paragraph number is described in the Table Column Definitions
above. This provides a reference from the summary table. These are in numerical order
by section to facilitate locating the description.
Element: The element is the FGDC element name. If there is another name more appropriate for
CIMS, this has been used and the FGDC element name is included in parentheses.
Some of the element names have been slightly modified from the FGDC Standard for
clarification, and these modifications have been recommended to FGDC for Revision 2
of the FGDC Standard. The FGDC name of the data element. A data element is a
logically primitive item of data. These are the things you "fill in. "
Definition: The definition is the FGDC definition of the data element, with minimal modifications
for clarification.
Domain: The domain is the list of values that can be entered for the element, where each value is
enclosed in double quotes (e.g., "Complete, " "In work, " or "Planned" for the Progress
element). In some cases, the user may enter any text they wish, and this is noted by the
words, free text, in the domain. The domain is essentially a pick list for the element.
Note: If only three values are listed, only one of those three values can be used, unless
free text is part of the domain. In some cases the domain list has been modified for
CIMS needs, and values may be more limited than those in the FGDC domain list.
Example: The example illustrates one possible entry for the element. For example, "Complete "
for the element Progress.
Comments: Comments include any notes specific to entering metadata for CIMS, and may include
additional explanation provided in the FGDC Standards Workbook.
B. Where do I Begin?
If you haven't already, begin by reading the previous section on How Do I Use This Document,
the Organization portion.
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In creating CIMS metadata for a dataset or document, first determine what level of metadata is
appropriate for your data or document. To do this, read the Overview in each CIMS Level
Section, Sections V, VI, and VTI respectively. Once you determine which level is applicable to
your information, start with reading CIMS Level 1 Metadata, Section V completely. Level 1
Metadata is required for any information type: data, documents, and multimedia presentations.
Next, refer to the Summary of Unique Elements table, Element Name field or column. You will
need to determine the appropriate information to fill in for each and every one of these pieces of
information for your data or document. Note whether or not the information is repeatable.
For a detailed description of this element, use the paragraph number to refer to the Element
Descriptions in Section C. These are in numeric order.
There may be additional pieces of information significant to publications. Read Appendix C -
Additional Guidance on Metadata for Publications., to evaluate the relevance of this information.
The CIMS metadata Levels build on one another. CIMS Level 1 includes all information required
for all data and documents. If you have tabular data without spatial references (i.e., latitudes /
longitudes), refer to CIMS Level 2 Metadata. CIMS Level 2 Metadata requires that the user refer
to and enter metadata for CIMS Level 1, and then the additional fields unique to CIMS Level 2.
For data with spatial references, tabular data with latitudes and longitudes, maps, or GIS
coverages, refer to CIMS Level 3 Metadata. CIMS Level 3 Metadata requires that the user refer
to and enter metadata for CIMS Level 1, then the additional fields unique to CIMS Level 2, and
finally the additional fields noted in CIMS Level 3 Metadata.
These guidelines are not meant to be a replacement for the FGDC Content Standard for Digital
Geospatial Metadata or the NBII Content Standard for National Biological Information
Infrastructure. These guidelines provide instruction on how to apply these standards to suit
CIMS. For those creating metadata for tabular datasets and spatially referenced data in particular,
it is highly recommended these Standards are read. There are many interesting responses to users
questions called FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) in the FGDC Standard Workbook which
maybe of help.
Currently, an evaluation of metadata entry tools is in progress. Until a tool has been
recommended or customized for the needs of CIMS, a user may use a word processor template to
enter FGDC compliant metadata. The instructions to do this can be found at
http://www.fgdc.gov/Metadata/Toollist/MetaTool.html. Refer to Instructions for Implementing
METADATA using a wordprocessor (text format).
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V. CIMS Level 1 Metadata
A. Overview
The purpose of the CIMS Level 1 Metadata is to provide for the desired search functionality of
CEVIS. The elements in Level 1 of CIMS metadata will furnish the minimum information about a
dataset or document required to search for and select a particular dataset or document, to view
and download. A data generator or server will need to create a metadata record, which includes
all of the information in CIMS Level 1, for information of any type (e.g., maps, publications,
multimedia presentations).
In addition, the CEVIS Level 1 Metadata include all the FGDC elements classified as
"Mandatory." Supplying this information will ensure the core FGDC Metadata is filled out and
therefore the metadata record can be submitted to a Federal Clearinghouse. Filling out all CEVIS
Level 1 metadata elements does not necessarily guarantee that the entry is FGDC compliant. To
be FGDC compliant one would be required to fill out all "Mandatory" elements, and any elements
classified as "Mandatory If Applicable" that are relevant to the dataset or document. CEVIS Level
1 Metadata do not account for all of the FGDC "Mandatory If Applicable" elements.
CEVIS Level 1 Metadata is comprised of information from Section 1- Identification Information,
Section 6 - Distribution Information, and Section 7 - Metadata Reference Information of the
FGDC and NBII Metadata Standards.
This section contains a summary table listing the elements that comprising Level 1. The Table has
five columns, with the following headings: Metadata Section, Compound Element, Paragraph
Number, Element Name, and Repeat. Also, included in this section are detailed descriptions of the
metadata elements unique to this Level. Details of the individual pieces of information or data
elements are included in this section. The descriptions of the elements include the FGDC
Paragraph Number, Element name, Definition, and Domain, as well as Example and Comments.
For more information on how to use this section or how it is organized, refer to Section IV - How
To Use This Document.
Note there may be additional relevant FGDC metadata elements, such as a point of contact, that
are not required, but may be helpful for others to find your information. Information providers
are encouraged to specify as much valuable information as seems necessary.
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B. CIMS Level 1 - Summary of Unique Elements
Metadata
Section
Identification
Information
Compound Element
Citation
Description
Time Period of Content,
Single OR Multiple
Date(s)/Time(s)
OR
Range of Dates/Times
Status
Geographic Extent, Bounding
Rectangle Coordinates
Keywords, Theme
Keywords, Place
FGDC (NBII)
Paragraph
Number
1.1.8.1
1.1.8.2
1.1.8.4
1.1.8.6
1.2.1
1.2.2
1.2.3
1.3.1
1.3.9.1.1
Element Name
Originator
Publication Date
Title
Information Type (Data
Presentation Form)
Abstract
Purpose
Target Audience (Supplemental
Information)
Content Date Explanation
Calendar Date for Content
Repeat 2
/
/
1.3.9.3.1
1.3.9.3.3
1.4.1
1.4.2
1.5.1.1 (1.5.2.1)
1.5.1.2(1.5.2.2)
1.5.1.3(1.5.2.3)
1.5.1.4(1.5.2.4)
1.6.1.1
1.6.1.2
1.6.2.1
1.6.2.2
1.7(1.8)
1.8(1.9)
Beginning Date for Content
Ending Date for Content
Progress
Maintenance and Update
Frequency
West Bounding Coordinate
East Bounding Coordinate
North Bounding Coordinate
South Bounding Coordinate
Subject (Theme) Keyword
Thesaurus
Subject (Theme) Keyword
Place Keyword Thesaurus
Place Keyword
Access Constraints
Use Constraints
+
+ /
+
+ /
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Metadata
Section
Distribution
Information
Metadata
Reference
Information
Compound Element
Distributor, Contact
Organization Primary
Distributor, Contact Address
Standard Order Process
Standard Order Process, Digital
Form, Digital Transfer
Information
Standard Order Process Digital
Form, Digital Transfer Options,
Online Option, Computer Contact
Information, Network Address
Standard Order Process, Digital
Form, Digital Transfer Option,
Offline Option
Standard Order Process
Metadata Contact, Contact
Organization Primary
Metadata Contact, Contact
Address
FGDC (NBII)
Paragraph
Number
6.1.10.1.2
6.1.10.4.1
6.1.10.4.2
6.1.10.4.3
6.1.10.4.4
6.1.10.4.5
6.1.10.5
6.3
6.4.1
OR
6.4.2.1.1
6.4.2.1.2
6.4.2.1.3
6.4.2.1.6
6.4.2.1.7
64221111
6.4.2.2.2.1
6.4.3
7.1
7.4.10.1.2
7.4.10.4.1
7.4.10.4.2
7.4.10.4.3
Element Name
Contact Organization
Address Type
Address
City
State or Province
Postal Code
Contact Voice Telephone
Distribution Liability
Non-digital Form
Format Name
Format Version Number
OR
Format Version Date
File Decompression Technique
Transfer Size
(URL) Network Resource Name
OR
Offline Media
Fees
Metadata Date
Contact Organization
Address Type
Address
City
Repeat 2
+
+
+
+
+
/
+
+
+
+
+
+
+/
+
+
+
+
+
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Metadata
Section
Compound Element
Metadata Contact
FGDC (NBII)
Paragraph
Number
7.4.10.4.4
7.4.10.4.5
7.4.10.5
7.5
7.6
Element Name
State or Province
Postal Code
Contact Voice Telephone
Metadata Standard Name
Metadata Standard Version
Repeat 2
+
+
/
2 Repeat
This is an individual data element which may be repeated or entered multiple times.
This is an individual data element within a compound element. This compound element may be repeated
or entered multiple times.
This is an individual data element within a compound element. This compound element may be entered
multiple times. In addition, this individual data element may be repeated or entered multiple times within
one instance of the compound element.
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C. CIMS Level 1 - Element Descriptions
Paragraph No.: 1.1.8.1
Element: Originator
Definition: The name of an organization or individual that developed the dataset or document. If the name
of editors or compilers are provided, the name must be followed by "(ed.)" or "(comp.)"
respectively. If possible, the organization name should be given to the sub-organizational level to
which the individual(s) that developed the data is (are) "attached".
Domain: (Refer to the CIMS list of data originators/organizations in Appendix A)
Example: Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences (VIMS)
Comments: The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. To ensure accurate entry of this
element and subsequent searching, use the list provided. Notify the CIMS Data Librarian of
missing/incorrect values and the necessary modification(s) will be made to the list. This element
may be repeated multiple times to illustrate that the data or document was developed by several
organizations.
Paragraph No.: 1.1.8.2
Element: Publication Date
Definition: The date when the dataset or document was published or otherwise made available for release.
Encodes a date as the year, and optionally month, or month and day.
Domain: "Unknown" "Unpublished Material" free date (see comments below for format)
Example: 19920124
Comments: As an example, January 24, 1992 A.D. would be expressed as "19920124". For any date A.D.
through December 31, 9999 A.D., values for day, month of year, and year, shall follow the
calendar date convention (general forms of YYYY for years; YYYYMM for month of a year with
the month of the year expressed as an integer, and YYYYMMDD for a day of the year) specified
in American National Standards Institute, 1986, Representation for calendar date and ordinal
date for information exchange (ANSI X3.30-1985) and Federal Information Processing
Standards (FIPS) 4-1. For any date B.C. through 9999 B.C., values for the day, month of year,
and year, shall follow the calendar date convention, preceded by the lower case letter "be"
(general forms of be YYYY for years; bcYYYYMM for month of a year, with month being
expressed as an integer, and bcYYYYMMDD for a day of the year). For any dates B.C. before
9999 B.C., values for the year shall consist of as many numeric characters as are needed to
represent the number of the year B.C., preceded by the lower case letters "cc" (general form of
ccYYYYYYY...).
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Paragraph No.: 1.1.8.4
Element: Title
Definition: The name by which the dataset or document is known.
Domain: free text
Example: Toxicants In The Chesapeake Bay Finfish And Shellfish
Comments:
Paragraph No.: 1.1.8.6
Element: Information Type (Data Presentation Form)
Definition: The mode in which the data are represented. This field is applicable if the information being
cited is in a describable form. This identifies the style with which the originator intended that
the information be presented to the user. For example, a paper map would have a "map" data
presentation form.
Domain: "atlas" "diagram" "globe" "map" "model" "profile" "remote-sensing image" "section" "view"
with additions forNBII and CIMS: "database" "document" "table" "graph" "spreadsheet"
"multimedia presentation" "audio" "video" "image"
Example: database
Comments: This element will be used for the CIMS Information Type. Nontechnical publications will
usually be considered "document." The specific type of document is specified in Subject
(Theme) Keyword. The domain is based on pp.88-91 in Anglo-American Committee on
Cataloguing of Cartographic Materials, 1982, Cartographic materials: A manual of interpretation
for AACR2: Chicago, American Library Association with additions for other information types.
Paragraph No.: 1.2.1
Element: Abstract
Definition: A brief narrative summary of the dataset or document.
Domain: free text
Example: The finfish toxics database contains data from Chesapeake Bay Program-sponsored (CBP)
research and other studies from which the CBP collected historical data on toxics. Sources are
either CBP, private industries, National Bureau of Standards, state agencies, EPA STORET or
other historical sources. Data include concentrations of heavy metals, pesticides, and organic
compounds in tissues of menhaden, striped bass (rockfish) and oysters. (MDVASG)
Comments: The abstract briefly describe the "what" aspects of the dataset - what information is in the
dataset, what area is covered.
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Paragraph No.: 1.2.2
Element: Purpose
Definition: A summary of the intentions with which the dataset or document was developed.
Domain: free text
Example: To determine the extent of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). These data will be compared to
previous years of the study to determine if there is an increase or decrease in the acreage of SAV
coverage in the tidal Chesapeake Bay.
Comments: The "Purpose" describes the "why" aspects of the information - why was the dataset or document
created.
Paragraph No.: 1.2.3
Element: Target Audience (Supplemental Information)
Definition: The audience this information is intended for.
Domain: "General Public" "Government" "K-12 Educators" "K-12 Students" "Reporters" "Resource
Managers" "Technical/Scientific Users"
Example: Technical/Scientific Users
Comments: Pick applicable items from the list. According to FGDC, the Supplemental Information element
is optional. In the CIMS context, this element will be used to identify the "supplemental"
information of target audience.
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Paragraph No.: 1.3.1
Element: Content Date Explanation (Currentness Reference)
Definition: An explanation justifying the Calendar Date for Content or Beginning/Ending Dates for Content.
This element is used to clarify how the date(s) provided in Time Period of Content were
generated. This element requires the producer to identify if the Time Period of Content dates
refer to the ground condition (i.e., when the "real world" looked the way it is described in the
dataset), or some later time when the information was recorded, published, etc.
Domain: "ground condition" "publication date" "observed" free text
Example: ground condition
Comments: NBII has added the domain value "observed." If ground condition is the same as observed, enter
ground condition.
If "June, July, and August" were derived from "Summer", or calendric dates were generated
from the radioisotopic (e.g., carbon) dating of samples, or some other interpretation, an
explanation of the interpretation or derivation should be included in this element. In the case of
calendar dates derived from radiocarbon dating, the radiocarbon age (B.P.), its standard
deviation, and the isotope fractionation (if done), along with the calibration scheme used, should
be included.
Paragraph No.: 1.3.9.1.1
Element: Calendar Date for Content
Definition: Time period(s) for which the dataset or information is valid or relevant. Encodes a date as the
year, and optionally month, or month and day. This can be used for multiple dates if applicable.
Use Beginning Date for Content and Ending Date for Content if the data or information covers a
range of dates, and leave Calendar Date for Content empty.
Domain: "Unknown" free date (see comments below for format)
Example: 199409
Comments: As an example, January 24, 1992 A.D. would be expressed as "19920124". For any date A.D.
through December 31, 9999 A.D., values for day, month of year, and year, shall follow the
calendar date convention (general forms of YYYY for years; YYYYMM for month of a year with
the month of the year expressed as an integer, and YYYYMMDD for a day of the year) specified
in American National Standards Institute, 1986, Representation for calendar date and ordinal
date for information exchange (ANSI X3.30-1985) and Federal Information Processing
Standards (FIPS) 4-1. For any date B.C. through 9999 B.C., values for the day, month of year,
and year, shall follow the calendar date convention, preceded by the lower case letter "be"
(general forms of be YYYY for years; bcYYYYMM for month of a year, with month being
expressed as an integer, and bcYYYYMMDD for a day of the year). For any dates B.C. before
9999 B.C., values for the year shall consist of as many numeric characters as are needed to
represent the number of the year B.C., preceded by the lower case letters "cc" (general form of
ccYYYYYYY...).
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Paragraph No.: 1.3.9.3.1
Element: Beginning Date for Content
Definition: Beginning Date for which the dataset or information is valid or relevant. Encodes the beginning
date as the year, and optionally month, or month and day.
Domain: "Unknown" free date (see comments below for format)
Example: 19910401
Comments: As an example, January 24, 1992 A.D. would be expressed as "19920124". For any date A.D.
through December 31, 9999 A.D., values for day, month of year, and year, shall follow the
calendar date convention (general forms of YYYY for years; YYYYMM for month of a year with
the month of the year expressed as an integer, and YYYYMMDD for a day of the year) specified
in American National Standards Institute, 1986, Representation for calendar date and ordinal
date for information exchange (ANSI X3.30-1985) and Federal Information Processing
Standards (FIPS) 4-1. For any date B.C. through 9999 B.C., values for the day, month of year,
and year, shall follow the calendar date convention, preceded by the lower case letter "be"
(general forms of be YYYY for years; bcYYYYMM for month of a year, with month being
expressed as an integer, and bcYYYYMMDD for a day of the year). For any dates B.C. before
9999 B.C., values for the year shall consist of as many numeric characters as are needed to
represent the number of the year B.C., preceded by the lower case letters "cc" (general form of
ccYYYYYYY...).
Paragraph No.: 1.3.9.3.3
Element: Ending Date for Content
Definition: Ending Date for which the dataset or information is valid or relevant. Encodes the ending date
as the year, and optionally month, or month and day.
Domain: "Unknown" free date (see comments below for format)
Example: 19910430
Comments: As an example, January 24, 1992 A.D. would be expressed as "19920124". For any date A.D.
through December 31, 9999 A.D., values for day, month of year, and year, shall follow the
calendar date convention (general forms of YYYY for years; YYYYMM for month of a year with
the month of the year expressed as an integer, and YYYYMMDD for a day of the year) specified
in American National Standards Institute, 1986, Representation for calendar date and ordinal
date for information exchange (ANSI X3.30-1985) and Federal Information Processing
Standards (FIPS) 4-1. For any date B.C. through 9999 B.C., values for the day, month of year,
and year, shall follow the calendar date convention, preceded by the lower case letter "be"
(general forms of be YYYY for years; bcYYYYMM for month of a year, with month being
expressed as an integer, and bcYYYYMMDD for a day of the year). For any dates B.C. before
9999 B.C., values for the year shall consist of as many numeric characters as are needed to
represent the number of the year B.C., preceded by the lower case letters "cc" (general form of
ccYYYYYYY...).
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Paragraph No.: 1.4.1
Element: Progress
Definition: The state of the dataset or information.
Domain: "Complete" "In work" "Planned"
Example: In work
Comments:
Paragraph No.: 1.4.2
Element: Maintenance and Update Frequency
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
The frequency with which changes and additions are made to the dataset or document after the
initial dataset or document is completed.
"Annually" "As needed" "Biannually" "Bimonthly" "Continually" "Daily" "Irregular"
"Monthly" "None planned" "Quarterly" "Unknown" "Weekly" free text
Annually
Paragraph No.: 1.5.1.1 (1.5.2.1)
Element: West Bounding Coordinate
Definition: Western-most coordinate of the limit of data or document expressed in longitude.
Domain: -180.0 < = West Bounding Coordinate < 180.0
Example: -80.4375
Comments: The purpose of the spatial domain coordinates is to provide a "footprint" of the data or
information.
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Paragraph No.: 1.5.1.2(1.5.2.2)
Element: East Bounding Coordinate
Definition: Eastern-most coordinate of the limit of data or document expressed in longitude.
-180.0 < = East Bounding Coordinate < = 180.0
-74.7720
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
The purpose of the spatial domain coordinates is to provide a "footprint" of the data or
information.
Paragraph No.: 1.5.1.3(1.5.2.3)
Element: North Bounding Coordinate
Definition: Northern-most coordinate of the limit of data or document expressed in latitude.
Domain: -90.0 < = North Bounding Coordinate < = 90.0; North Bounding Coordinate >= South Bounding
Coordinate
Example: 42.9783
Comments: The purpose of the spatial domain coordinates is to provide a "footprint" of the data or
information.
Paragraph No.: 1.5.1.4(1.5.2.4)
Element: South Bounding Coordinate
Definition: Southern-most coordinate of the limit of data or information document expressed in latitude.
Domain: -90.0 < = South Bounding Coordinate < = 90.0; South Bounding Coordinate < = North Bounding
Coordinate
Example: 36.8432
Comments: The purpose of the spatial domain coordinates is to provide a "footprint" of the data or
information.
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Paragraph No.: 1.6.1.1
Element: Subject (Theme) Keyword Thesaurus
Definition: Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of theme (subject)
keywords. For CIMS purposes, this element will generally be filled in with "None." A thesaurus
is a source of a controlled vocabulary.
Domain: "None" free text
Example: None
Comments: For a list of some commonly-used thesauri, refer to Part IV: Subject/index term sources in
Network Development and MARC Standards Office, 1988, USMARC code list for relators,
sources, and description conventions: Washington, Library of Congress. This element can be
repeated multiple times to illustrate that several theme keyword thesauri are sources for the
theme keywords.
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Paragraph No.: 1.6.1.2
Element: Subject (Theme) Keyword
Definition: Words or phrases summarizing an aspect of the information. Common-use word or phrase used
to describe the subject of the dataset or document. For CIMS search capability, Subject
Keywords are organized into four categories: Level of Detail, Media, Type of Document, Major
Subjects, Specific Subjects.
The Level of Detail category refers to the level of detail of the information in the dataset or
document. The majority of public documents may be classified as "Highly Summarized" whereas
the Toxics Database as "Analyzed".
The Media category is the substance or surroundings that describes where the information in the
document exists or where the information was collected.
The Type of Document category is applicable for documents only.
Major Subject provides a discrete list of subjects to categorize the document or dataset, while the
Specific Subject provides a list to allow users to more easily document their data and provides a
consistent means of doing so. Specific Subject also allows users to add their own keywords.
Domain: Level of Detail: "Highly Summarized" "Analyzed" "Primary/Raw Data"
Media: "Water" "Land" "Air"
Type of Document:
"Agreement" "Brochure" "Booklet" "Directive" "Fact Sheet" "Poster" "Press Release"
"Report" "Web Page"
Major Subjects:
"Air Quality" "Animals" "Chesapeake Bay Program" "GIS" "Habitat" "Land Cover"
"Land Use" "Modeling" "Monitoring" "Nutrients" "Plants" "Pollution" "Population"
"Water Quality"
Specific Subjects:
"Agriculture" "Alosids" "Ambient" "Aquatic" "Assessment" "Attitudes" "Bay Grasses"
"Benthos" "Biological" "Biological Nutrient Removal" "Birds" "Blue Crabs" "BNR"
"Buffers" "CBP" "Clarity" "Communications" "Concentration" "Conservation"
"Development" "Directory" "Dissolved Oxygen" "Ecosystem" "Education" "Estuarine"
"Exotic Species" "Facilities" "Fall line" "Federal" "Finfish" "Fish" "Fishery" "Forest"
"Forestry" "Goals" "Heritage" "History" "Household Waste" "Implementation"
"Indicator" "Land Growth and Stewardship" "Living Resources" "Loadings" "Local"
"Government" "Management" "Marine" "Model" "Nitrogen" "Nonpoint Source"
"Nontidal" "Oysters" "Passage" "Pesticides" "Phosphorus" "Plan" "Plankton" "Point
Source" "Policy" "Program" "Progress" "Public Access" "Recreation" "Reefs" "Release"
"Research" "Restoration" "Rivers" "Salinity" " SAV" "Scientific" "Secchi Depth"
"Sediments" "Septics" "Sewage" "Shoreline" "Soil" "Stewardship" "Stock" "Strategy"
"Submerged Aquatic Vegetation" "Survey" "Targeting" "Technical" "Techniques"
"Technology" "Temperature" "Tidal" "Toxic" "Toxicity" "Toxics" "Trends"
"Tributary" "Urban" "Wastewater Treatment" "Waterfowl" "Watershed" "Wetlands"
"Wildlife"
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Example: Analyzed
Water
Brochure
Living Resources
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
Habitat
Restoration
Trends
Comments: Pick one applicable item from Level of Detail list.
Pick at least one applicable item from Media list.
Pick appropriate item from Type of Document list, if applicable.
Pick at least one applicable item from Major Subjects list.
Optionally, pick applicable items from Specific Subjects list.
Paragraph No.: 1.6.2.1
Element: Place Keyword Thesaurus
Definition: Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of place keywords.
A thesaurus is a source of a controlled vocabulary.
Domain: "None" "Geographic Names Information System" free text
Example: None
Comments: This element can be repeated multiple times to illustrate that several place keyword thesauri are
sources for the place keywords.
Paragraph No.: 1.6.2.2
Element: Place Keyword
Definition: The geographic name of a location covered by a dataset or document.
Domain: Geographic
Level of Detail: "State" "County" "Municipality" "Major Watershed/Basin" "Subbasin"
"Hydrologic Unit" "Monitoring Segment" "Modeling Segment" "Tributary"
"Airshed"
Specific Names: (Refer to the CIMS Specific Place Names List in Appendix B)
Example: Major Watershed/Basin
Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Comments: Pick one applicable item from Geographic Level of Detail list.
Pick applicable items from Specific Names list.
The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. To ensure accurate entry of this
element and subsequent searching, use the list provided. Notify the CIMS Data Librarian of
missing/incorrect values and the necessary modification(s) will be made to the list.
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Paragraph No.: 1.7(1.8)
Element: Access Constraints
Definition: Restrictions and legal prerequisites for accessing the dataset or document. These include any
access constraints applied to assure the protection of privacy or intellectual property, and any
special restrictions or limitations on obtaining the dataset.
Domain: "None" "QMS Participants Only" "Originating Agency Only"
Example: None
Comments: CBP documents and datasets have no access constraints, so "None" is appropriate value.
Paragraph No.: 1.8(1.9)
Element: Use Constraints
Definition: Restrictions and legal prerequisites for using the dataset after access is granted. These include
any use constraints applied to assure the protection of privacy or intellectual property, and any
special restrictions or limitations on using the dataset.
Domain: "None" "Not for redistribution without written consent" "Use at your own risk" "Citation
Required" "Dataset Credit Required" free text
Example: Not for redistribution without written consent
Comments: CBP publications require a citation.
Paragraph No.: 6.1.10.1.2
Element: Contact Organization
Definition: The name of the organization to contact regarding distribution of the data or document.
Domain: (Refer to the CIMS list of data originators/organizations in Appendix A)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay Program Office (USEPA CBPO)
Example:
Comments:
The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. To ensure accurate entry of this
element and subsequent searching, use the list provided. Notify the CIMS Data Librarian of
missing/incorrect values and the necessary modification(s) will be made to the list.
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Paragraph No.: 6.1.10.4.1
Element: Address Type
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
The type of address for the Contact Organization distributing the data or document.
"mailing address" "physical address" "mailing and physical address"
mailing and physical address
Comments: The entire compound element, Contact Address, may be repeated multiple times if there are
several addresses for one contact organization. Address Type is one of the elements within
Contact Address.
Paragraph No.: 6.1.10.4.2
Element: Address
Definition: An address for the Contact Organization distributing the data or document. This field is
appropriate for a street address or PO Box number or similar address information for the contact.
Domain: free text
Example: 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109
Comments: The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. To ensure accurate search
results, consistency in data entry of this element is of key importance. The entire compound element,
Contact Address, may be repeated multiple times if there are several addresses for one contact
organization. Address is one of the elements within Contact Address.
Paragraph No.: 6.1.10.4.3
Element: City
Definition: The city of the address.
Domain: free text
Example: Annapolis
Comments: The entire compound element, Contact Address, may be repeated multiple times if there are
several addresses for one contact organization. City is one of the elements within Contact
Address.
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Paragraph No.: 6.1.10.4.4
Element: State or Province
Definition: The state or province of the address.
Domain: free text
Example: MD
Comments: Express state or province as postal service two digits, uppercase abbreviation. The entire
compound element, Contact Address, may be repeated multiple times if there are several
addresses for one contact organization. State or Province is one of the elements within Contact
Address.
Paragraph No.: 6.1.10.4.5
Element: Postal Code
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
The ZIP or other postal code of the address.
free text
21403
Comments: The entire compound element, Contact Address, may be repeated multiple times if there are
several addresses for one contact organization. Postal Code is one of the elements within Contact
Address.
Paragraph No.: 6.1.10.5
Element: Contact Voice Telephone
Definition: The telephone number of the contact organization or individual.
Domain: free text
Example: (410) 267-5671
Comments: The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. To ensure accurate search
results, consistency in data entry of this element is of key importance. An example of a consistent format
would be (ddd)ddd-dddd xddd. Contact Voice Telephone may be repeated multiple times if
there are several phone numbers for one contact organization.
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Paragraph No.: 6.3
Element: Distribution Liability
Definition: Statement of the liability assumed by the distributor.
Domain: free text
Example: The Chesapeake Bay Program is performing a service by providing data on behalf of the Alliance
for the Chesapeake Bay (ACB), and makes no claim as to the quality or validity of the data. All
questions and concerns should be directed to ACB.
Comments: The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. It is recommended to create
standard statements for an informational product within an organization or group for
consistency.
Paragraph No.: 6.4.1
Element: Non-digital Form
Definition: The description of options for obtaining the dataset on non-computer-compatible media.
Domain: "hardcopy" free text
Example: hardcopy
Comments: The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. The entire Standard Order
Process compound element may be repeated multiple times if there are several non-digital forms of the
dataset or document available.
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Paragraph No.: 6.4.2.1.1
Element: Format Name
Definition: The name of the data transfer format or computer program storing the dataset or document.
Domain: free text, or pick from the following categories:
CIS:
"ARCE" - ARC/INFO Export format;
"ARCG" - ARC/INFO Generate format;
"BIL" - Imagery, band interleaved by line;
"BIP" - Imagery, band interleaved by pixel;
"BSQ" - Imagery, band interleaved sequential;
"CDF" - Common Data Format;
"CFF" - Cartographic Feature File (U.S. Forest Service);
"COORD" - User-created coordinate file, declared format;
"DEM" - Digital Elevation Model format (U.S. Geological Survey);
"DFAD" - Digital Feature Analysis Data (Defense Mapping Agency);
"DON" - Microstation format (Intergraph Corporation);
"DIGEST" - Digital Geographic Information Exchange Standard;
"DLG" - Digital Line Graph (U.S. Geological Survey);
"DTED" - Digital Terrain Elevation Data (MIL-D-89020);
"DWG" - AutoCAD Drawing format;
"DX90" -DataExchange '90;
"DXF" - AutoCAD Drawing Exchange Format;
"ERDAS" - ERDAS image files (ERDAS Corporation);
"GIRAS" - Geographic Information Retrieval and Analysis System;
"GRASS" - Geographic Resources Analysis Support;
"IGDS" - Interactive Graphic Design System format (Intergraph Corporation);
"IGES" - Initial Graphics Exchange Standard;
"MIF" - Map Info format;
"MOSS" - Multiple Overlay Statistical System export file;
"NITF" - National Imagery Transfer Format;
"RPF" - Raster Product Format (Defense Mapping Agency);
"RVC" - Raster Vector Converted format (Microimages);
"RVF" - Raster Vector Format (Microimages);
"SDTS" - Spatial Data Transfer Standard (Federal Information Processing Standard 173);
"SHAPE" - Arc View format;
"SIF" - Standard Interchange Format (DOD Project 2851);
"SLF" - Standard Linear Format (Defense Mapping Agency);
"SPLUS" -S-Plus file;
"TGRLN"- Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) Line
format (Bureau of the Census);
"VPF" - Vector Product Format (Defense Mapping Agency)
Graphics Output:
"COM" - Computer Graphics Metafile;
"DIP" - VisiCalc format;
"EPS" - Encapsulated Postscript;
"GIF" - Graphics Interchange Format;
"GRA" - ARC/INFO graphic file;
"HPGL/2" - Hewlett Packard Graphics Language;
"PLT" - ARC/INFO plot file;
"PS" - Postscript
Word Processor:
"DOC" - Microsoft Word file;
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"PDF" -Adobe Portable Document format;
"PM" - Aldus PageMaker;
"WP" - WordPerfect
Spreadsheet:
"EXCEL" - Excel data file;
"FW" - Framework Spreadsheet or database format;
"LOTUS" - Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet;
"QP" - Quattro Pro data file;
Database:
"ACC" - Access database file;
"DBF"-dBASE data file;
"HDF" - Hierarchical Data Format;
"netCDF" - network Common Data Format;
"RPD" - RapidFile;
"SAS" -SAS Transport Dataset
Multimedia Files:
"AIFF" - Audio Interchange File Format;
"AU" - Audio file;
"AVI" - Microsoft's Audio Visual Interleaved format;
"JPEG" - Joint Photographic Experts Group format;
"MOV" - QuickTime Audio/Video compression standard;
"MPEG" - Moving Pictures Expert Group;
"RA" - Real Audio;
"RV" - Real Video;
"TIFF" - Tagged Image File Format;
"WAV" -Windows Wave format sound file;
"VRML" - Virtual Reality Modeling Language;
Other:
"ASCII" - ASCII file, formatted for text attributes, declared format;
"EMF" - Enhanced metafile;
"HTML" - HyperText Markup Language format;
"PBM" - Portable Bit Map format file;
"SGML" - Standard Generalized Markup Language;
"WM" - Windows metafile;
"XWD" - X-Windows Dump format;
Example: WP
Comments: This is the name of the format or computer program for the common ways in which the dataset
may be obtained or received in digital form. The entire Standard Order Process, Digital Form
compound element may be repeated multiple times if there are several digital forms of the dataset
or document available. Format Name is one of the elements contained within this compound
element. If there are several formats available, all related fields must be filled out such as Format
Version Number, File Decompression Technique, Transfer Size, etc.
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Paragraph No.: 6.4.2.1.2
Element: Format Version Number
Definition: Version number of the format or computer program.
Domain: free text
Example: 6.1
Comments: Enter this element or version date. This is the version number of the format or computer
program for the common ways in which the dataset or document may be obtained or received in
digital form. The entire Standard Order Process, Digital Form compound element may be
repeated multiple times if there are several digital forms of the dataset or document available.
Format Version Number is one of the elements contained within this compound element. If there
are several formats available, all related fields must be filled out such as Format Name, File
Decompression Technique, Transfer Size, etc.
Paragraph No.: 6.4.2.1.3
Element: Format Version Date
Definition: Date of the version of the format or computer program.
Domain: free date
Example: 19920508
Comments: Enter this element or version number. This is the version date of the format or computer
program for the common ways in which the dataset or document may be obtained or received in
digital form. The entire Standard Order Process, Digital Form compound element may be
repeated multiple times if there are several digital forms of the dataset or document available.
Format Version Date is one of the elements contained within this compound element. If there
are several formats available, all related fields must be filled out such as Format Name, File
Decompression Technique, Transfer Size, etc.
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Paragraph No.: 6.4.2.1.6
Element: File Decompression Technique
Definition: Recommendations of algorithms or processes (including means of obtaining these algorithms or
processes) that can be applied to read or expand datasets to which data compression techniques
have been applied. This field is applicable whenever a data or document file has been
compressed. If some files are compressed but others are not, "No compression applied" would be
applicable for the appropriate files. If compression is never used, this field is not applicable.
Domain: "No compression applied" "tar" "cpio" "dd" "uncompress" "gunzip" "unsit" "pkunzip" "unzip"
"uncompress and tar" "gunzip and tar"
Example: Pkunzip
Comments: This refers to the decompression technique the user must apply to get back to the original file.
The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. To ensure accurate entry of this
element and subsequent searching, select a value from the domain list provided, if appropriate.
The entire Standard Order Process, Digital Form compound element may be repeated multiple
times if there are several digital forms of the dataset or document available. File Decompression
Technique is one of the elements contained within this compound element. If there are several
formats available, all related fields must be filled out such as Format Name, Format Version
Number, Transfer Size, etc.
Paragraph No.: 6.4.2.1.7
Element: Transfer Size
Definition: The size, or estimated size, of the transferred dataset in megabytes.
Domain: Transfer Size > 0.0
Example: 0.4
Comments: The entire Standard Order Process, Digital Form compound element may be repeated multiple
times if there are several digital forms of the dataset or document available. Transfer size is one
of the elements contained within this compound element. If there are several formats available,
all related fields must be filled out such as Format Name, Format Version Number, File
Decompression Technique, etc.
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Paragraph No.: 6.4.2.2.1.1.1.1
Element: URL (Network Resource Name)
Definition: The name of the file and service from which the dataset or document can be obtained. This is the
URL or Homepage Address.
Domain: free text
Example: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/file4231
Comments: Values for network addresses for computer systems and related services should follow the
Uniform Resource Locator (URL) convention for the Internet. See
http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/demoweb/url-primer.html for additional details about the URL. The
URL is a network extension of the UNIX file naming conventions. The basic form of the URL is:
service ://hostname:port/path/filename where service - the name of the service to be used withe
the resource. Examples include "file", "fcp.", "telnet", "gopher", "wais", "news", "http",
"rlogin", and "tn3270." hostname:port - the Internet address of the machine and the port through
which the service is provided. The identification of the port is required only if a non-standard
implementation is being used, path - the directory path to the file, filename - the name of the file.
This element may be repeated multiple times if there are several files making up this dataset or
document.
Paragraph No.: 6.4.2.2.2.1
Element: Offline Media
Definition: Name of the media on which the digital dataset or document can be received, other than the
Internet.
Domain: "CD-ROM" "3-1/2 inch floppy disk" "5-1/4 inch floppy disk" "9-track tape" "4 mm cartridge
tape" "8 mm cartridge tape" "1/4-inch cartridge tape" "zip disk" free text
Example: CD-ROM, 3-1/2 inch floppy disk
Comments: This element may be repeated multiple times if there are several transfer options available for
this dataset or document.
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Paragraph No.: 6.4.3
Element: Fees
Definition: The fees and terms for retrieving the dataset.
Domain: "None" free text
Example: $75
Comments: The entire Standard Order Process compound element may be repeated multiple times if there are
several forms of the dataset or document available. Fees is one element within Standard Order
Process and therefore may be entered multiple times, if the fee for the forms available varies.
Paragraph No.: 7.1
Element: Metadata Date
Definition: The date that the metadata were created or last updated. Encodes a date as the year, and
optionally month, or month and day.
Domain: free date (see comments below for format)
Example: 19930515
Comments: As an example, January 24, 1992 A.D. would be expressed as "19920124". For any date A.D.
through December 31, 9999 A.D., values for day, month of year, and year, shall follow the
calendar date convention (general forms of YYYY for years; YYYYMM for month of a year with
the month of the year expressed as an integer, and YYYYMMDD for a day of the year) specified
in American National Standards Institute, 1986, Representation for calendar date and ordinal
date for information exchange (ANSI X3.30-1985) and Federal Information Processing
Standards (FIPS) 4-1. For any date B.C. through 9999 B.C., values for the day, month of year,
and year, shall follow the calendar date convention, preceded by the lower case letter "be"
(general forms of be YYYY for years; bcYYYYMM for month of a year, with month being
expressed as an integer, and bcYYYYMMDD for a day of the year). For any dates B.C. before
9999 B.C., values for the year shall consist of as many numeric characters as are needed to
represent the number of the year B.C., preceded by the lower case letters "cc" (general form of
ccYYYYYYY...).
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Paragraph No.: 7.4.10.1.2
Element: Contact Organization
Definition: The name of the organization to contact regarding metadata for the data or document.
Domain: (liefer to the CIMS list of data originators/organizations in Appendix A)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay Program Office (USEPA CBPO)
Example:
Comments:
The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. To ensure accurate entry of this
element and subsequent searching, use the list provided. Notify the CIMS Data Librarian of
missing/incorrect values and the necessary modification(s) will be made to the list.
Paragraph No.: 7.4.10.4.1
Element: Address Type
Definition: The information provided by the address.
"mailing address" "physical address" "mailing and physical address"
mailing and physical address
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
The entire compound element, Contact Address, may be repeated multiple times if there are
several addresses for one contact organization. Address Type is one of the elements within
Contact Address.
Paragraph No.: 7.4.10.4.2
Element: Address
Definition: An address line for the address. This field is appropriate whenever there is a street address or PO
Box number or similar address information for the contact.
Domain: free text
Example: 312 Seitz Hall, Virginia Tech
Comments: The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. To ensure accurate search
results, consistency in data entry of this element is of key importance. The entire compound element,
Contact Address, may be repeated multiple times if there are several addresses for one contact
organization. Address is one of the elements within Contact Address.
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Paragraph No.: 7.4.10.4.3
Element: City
Definition: The city of the address.
Domain: free text
Example: Blacksburg
Comments: The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. To ensure accurate search
results, consistency in data entry of this element is of key importance. The entire compound element,
Contact Address, may be repeated multiple times if there are several addresses for one contact
organization. City is one of the elements within Contact Address.
Paragraph No.: 7.4.10.4.4
Element: State or Province
Definition: The state or province of the address.
Domain: free text
Example: VA
Comments: Express state or province as postal service two digit, uppercase abbreviation. The entire
compound element, Contact Address, may be repeated multiple times if there are several
addresses for one contact organization. State or Province is one of the elements within Contact
Address.
Paragraph No.: 7.4.10.4.5
Element: Postal Code
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
The ZIP or other postal code of the address.
free text
24060
Comments: The entire compound element, Contact Address, may be repeated multiple times if there are
several addresses for one contact organization. Postal Code is one of the elements within Contact
Address.
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Paragraph No.: 7.4.10.5
Element: Contact Voice Telephone
Definition: The telephone number for the metadata contact organization or individual.
Domain: free text
Example: (540) 261-6000
Comments: The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. To ensure accurate search
results, consistency in data entry of this element is of key importance. Contact Voice Telephone may be
repeated multiple times if there are several phone numbers for one contact organization.
Paragraph No.: 7.5
Element: Metadata Standard Name
Definition: The name of the metadata standard used to create the dataset.
Domain: free text
Example: Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Comments: Although CIMS Metadata must adhere to the CIMS Metadata Guidelines, it does not constitute a
recognized Standard. Currently the Standard federal agencies must adhere to for spatial
information is Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata. In the future there may be
FGDC recognized metadata profiles which may be referenced in this element, such as for NBII.
Paragraph No.: 7.6
Element: Metadata Standard Version
Definition: Identification of the version of the metadata standard used to document the dataset.
Domain: free text
Example: 19940608
Comments:
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VI. CIMS Level 2 Metadata
A. Overview
The purpose of CIMS Level 2 Metadata is to make available the information necessary to achieve
the desired query and analysis capabilities of CIMS tabular datasets that are not spatially
referenced. The elements in Level 2 of CIMS metadata will store the majority of information
required to query and analyze particular dataset(s) accessible through CIMS.
CIMS Level 2 Metadata builds upon Level 1. Compliance with CIMS Level 2 Metadata requires
users refer to and enter metadata for all CIMS Level 1 elements (see Section V), and the
additional elements unique to CIMS Level 2. The additional Level 2 elements are described in
this section. Level 2 metadata are applicable to tabular datasets that are not spatially referenced.
Geospatial or spatially referenced data are data that contain coordinates (e.g., latitude and
longitude). Non-geospatial data or data that are not spatially referenced are data that do not
include coordinates in the data itself. Toxicity Effects Data and Agricultural Census Data are
examples of non-geospatial datasets for which CIMS Level 2 metadata would be entered.
The information unique to CIMS Level 2 is taken from Section 2- Data Quality Information, and
Section 5 - Entity and Attribute Information of the FGDC and NBII Metadata Standards. It is
important to understand the quality and source(s) of the non-spatially referenced tabular data to
use or analyze the data correctly. In addition, the Level 2 elements regarding attributes and values
are necessary to support the query and analysis capability of CIMS.
This section contains a summary table listing the elements that are unique to Level 2. The Table
has five columns, with the following headings: Metadata Section, Compound Element, Paragraph
Number, Element Name, and Repeat. Also, included in this section are detailed descriptions of the
metadata elements unique to this Level. Details of the individual pieces of information or data
elements are included in this section. The descriptions of the elements include the FGDC
Paragraph Number, Element name, Definition, and Domain, as well as Example and Comments.
For more information on how to use this section or how it is organized, refer to Section IV - How
To Use This Document.
Note that some element descriptions contain comments that are relevant to both CIMS Level 2
and Level 3. As CIMS Metadata levels build upon one another, element descriptions are not
duplicated in the next CIMS Level. Therefore Level 2 and 3 comments are included in element
descriptions in this section and are marked with the appropriate level for clarity.
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B. CIMS Level 2 - Summary of Unique Elements
Metadata
Section
Data Quality
Entity &
Attribute
Information
Compound Element
Attribute Accuracy
Quantitative Attribute Accuracy
Assessment
Source Information, Citation
Source Time Period of Content,
Single OR Multiple
Date(s)/Time(s)
OR
Range of Dates/Tinies
Lineage
Detailed Description, Entity Type
Detailed Description, Attribute
Detailed Description, Attribute,
FGDC (NBII)
Paragraph
Number
2.1.1
2.1.2.1
2.1.2.2
2.2
2.3
2.5.1.1.8.1
251182
2.5.1.1.8.4
2.5.1.3
2.5.1.4.1
2514911
2514931
2.5.1.4.9.3.3
2.5.1.5
2.5.1.6
2.5.2.1
2.5.2.2
2.5.2.3
2.5.2.5
5.1.1.1
5.1.1.2
5.1.1.3
5.1.2.1
5.1.2.2
5.1.2.3
5.1.2.4.1.1
Element Name
Attribute Accuracy Report
Attribute Accuracy Value
Attribute Accuracy Explanation
Logical Consistency Report
Completeness Report
Originator
Publication Date
Title
Type of Source Media
Source Content Date Explanation
Calendar Date for Content
Beginning Date for Content
Ending Date for Content
Source Citation Abbreviation
Source Contribution
Process Description
Source Used Citation
Abbreviation
Process Date
Source Produced Citation
Abbreviation
Entity Type Label
Entity Type Definition
Entity Type Definition Source
Attribute Label
Attribute Definition
Attribute Definition Source
Enumerated Domain Value
Reneat
+
+
+/
+
+
+
+
+/
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Attribute Domain Values,
Enumerated Domain
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Metadata
Section
Compound Element
Detailed Description, Attribute,
Attribute Domain Values, Range
Domain
Detailed Description Attribute
Attribute Domain Values, Codeset
Detailed Description, Attribute
Overview Description
FGDC (NBII)
Paragraph
Number
5.1.2.4.1.2
512413
5.1.2.4.2.1
5.1.2.4.2.2
512431
512432
5.1.2.5
OR
5.2.1
5.2.2
Element Name
Enumerated Domain Value
Definition
Enumerated Domain Value
Definition Source
OR
Range Domain Minimum
Range Domain Maximum
OR
Codeset Name
Codeset Source
Attribute Units of Measure
Entity and Attribute Overview
Entity and Attribute Detail and
Citation
Repeat
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
2 Repeat
/ - This is an individual data element which may be repeated multiple times.
+ - This is an individual data element within a compound element. This compound element may be repeated
multiple times.
+/ - This is an individual data element within a compound element. This compound element may be repeated
multiple times. In addition, this individual data element may be repeated within one instance of the
compound element.
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C. CIMS Level 2 - Element Descriptions
Paragraph No.: 2.1.1
Element: Attribute Accuracy Report
Definition: An explanation of the accuracy of the identification of the entities and assignments of values in
the data set and a description of the tests used.
Domain: free text
Example:
Comments: The attribute accuracy report is a complete description of the accuracy of the attribute
information in the dataset, including the identification of tests used, testing methodology, results
obtained, etc. Attributes are the labels on polygons in a GIS coverage or the fields in a tabular
dataset. Accuracy assessment for measures on a continuous scale shall be performed using
procedures similar to those used for positional accuracy (providing a numerical estimate of
expected discrepancies). The report of a test of attribute accuracy shall include the date of the
test and the dates of the materials used. In the case of different dates, the report shall describe
the rates of change in the phenomena classified.
Applicable to Level 3 Metadata: Spatial variations in attribute accuracy may be reported in a
quality overlay. Accuracy tests for categorical attributes may be performed by one of the
following methods. All methods shall make reference to a map scale in interpreting
classifications.
Deductive Estimate: Any estimate, even a guess based on experience, is permitted. The basis for
the deduction shall be explained. Statements such as "good" or "poor" should be explained in as
quantitative manner as possible.
Tests Based on Independent Samples: A misclassification matrix shall be reported as counts of
sample units cross tabulated by the categories of the sample and of the tested material. The
sampling procedure and the location of sample units shall be described.
Tested Based on Polygon Overlay: A misclassification matrix shall be reported as areas. The
relationship between the two maps shall be explained; as far as possible, the two sources should
be independent and one should have higher accuracy.
Paragraph No.: 2.1.2.1
Element: Attribute Accuracy Value
Definition: An estimate of the accuracy of the identification of the entities and assignments of attribute
values in the data set.
Domain: "Unknown" free text
Example:
Comments: The entire compound element, Quantitative Attribute Accuracy Assessment, may be repeated
several times for different assessments of the same dataset. Attribute Accuracy Value is one
element within this compound element and therefore may be entered multiple times.
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Paragraph No.: 2.1.2.2
Element: Attribute Accuracy Explanation
Definition: The identification of the test that yielded the Attribute Accuracy Value.
Domain: free text
Example:
Comments: The entire compound element, Quantitative Attribute Accuracy Assessment, may be repeated
several times for different assessments of the same dataset. Attribute Accuracy Explanation is
one element within this compound element and therefore may be entered multiple times.
Paragraph No.: 2.2
Element: Logical Consistency Report
Definition: An explanation of the fidelity of the relationships in the data set and tests used.
Domain: free text
Example:
Comments: A report on logical consistency shall describe the fidelity of relationships encoded in the data
structure of the digital data. The report shall detail the tests performed and the results of the
tests. The report should include tests of valid values, general tests for data, specific tests for data,
and date of tests. Different tests may be applied, but the quality report shall contain a description
of the tests applied or a reference to documentation of the software used. The report shall state
whether all inconsistencies were corrected or it shall detail the remaining errors by case.
Paragraph No.: 2.3
Element: Completeness Report
Definition: Information about omissions, selection criteria, generalization, definitions used, and other rules
used to derive the data set.
Domain: free text
Example:
Comments: The report on completeness shall describe the relationship between the objects represented and
the abstract universe of such objects. In particular, the report shall describe the exhaustiveness of
a set of features. Exhaustiveness concerns spatial and attribute properties, both of which can be
tested. A test for spatial completeness can be obtained from topological tests for logical
consistency described in 3.4.3 of SDTS (Standard Data Transfer Standard). Tests for attribute
completeness operate by comparison of a master list of codes to the codes actually appearing in
the file. The procedures used for testing and the results shall be described in the quality report.
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Paragraph No.: 2.5.1.1.8.1
Element: Originator
Definition: The name of an organization or individual that provided source datasets or documents used to
compile this dataset or document.
Domain: (liefer to the CIMS list of data originators/organizations in Appendix A)
Example: Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR)
Comments: If the name of editors or compilers are provided, the name must be followed by "(ed.)" or
"(comp.)" respectively. If possible, the organization name should be given to the sub-
organizational level to which the individual(s) that developed the data is (are) "attached". This
element may be repeated multiple times to illustrate that a source of this data or document was
developed by several organizations. In addition, the entire compound element, Source
Information, Citation, may be repeated if there are multiple source datasets used in putting
together this dataset or document. Originator is one element within Source Information,
Citation, and therefore may be repeated multiple times, once per source dataset.
Paragraph No.: 2.5.1.1.8.2
Element: Publication Date (Source Citation)
Definition: The date when the source data set is published or otherwise made available for release. Encodes
a date as the year, and optionally month, or month and day.
Domain: "Unknown" "Unpublished Material" free date (see comments below for format)
Example: 19920124
Comments: As an example, January 24, 1992 A.D. would be expressed as "19920124". For any date A.D.
through December 31, 9999 A.D., values for day, month of year, and year, shall follow the
calendar date convention (general forms of YYYY for years; YYYYMM for month of a year with
the month of the year expressed as an integer, and YYYYMMDD for a day of the year) specified
in American National Standards Institute, 1986, Representation for calendar date and ordinal
date for information exchange (ANSI X3.30-1985) and Federal Information Processing
Standards (FIPS) 4-1. For any date B.C. through 9999 B.C., values for the day, month of year,
and year, shall follow the calendar date convention, preceded by the lower case letter "be"
(general forms of be YYYY for years; bcYYYYMM for month of a year, with month being
expressed as an integer, and bcYYYYMMDD for a day of the year). For any dates B.C. before
9999 B.C., values for the year shall consist of as many numeric characters as are needed to
represent the number of the year B.C., preceded by the lower case letters "cc" (general form of
ccYYYYYYY...).
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Paragraph No.: 2.5.1.1.8.4
Element: Title
Definition: The name by which the source data set is known.
Domain: free text
Example: American Shad Population Estimates for the Upper Bay
Comments: The entire compound element, Source Information - Citation, may be repeated if there are
multiple source datasets used in putting together this dataset or document. Title is one element
within Source Information, Citation, and therefore may be repeated multiple times, once per
source dataset.
Paragraph No.: 2.5.1.3
Element: Type of Source Media
Definition: The medium of the source data set.
Domain: "paper" "stable-base material" "microfiche" "microfilm" "audiocassette" "chart" "filmstrip"
"transparency" "videocassette" "videodisc" "videotape" "physical model" "computer program"
"disc" "cartridge tape" "magnetic tape" "online" "CD-ROM" "electronic bulletin board"
"electronic mail system" free text
Example: paper
Comments: The entire compound element, Source Information - Citation, may be repeated if there are
multiple source datasets used in putting together this dataset or document. Title is one element
within Source Information, Citation, and therefore may be repeated multiple times, once per
source dataset.
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Paragraph No.: 2.5.1.4.1
Element:
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
Source Content Date Explanation (Source Currentness Reference)
The basis on which the content date information of a source data set is determined. An
explanation justifying the Calendar Date for Content or Beginning/Ending Dates for Content for
a source dataset. This element is used to clarify how the date(s) provided in Source Time Period
of Content were generated. This element requires the producer to identify if the Source Time
Period of Content dates refer to the ground condition (that is, when the "real world" looked the
way it is described in the dataset), or some later time when the information was recorded,
published, etc.
"ground condition" "publication date" "observed" free text
ground condition
NBII has added the domain value "observed".
ground condition.
If ground condition is the same as observed, enter
If "June, July, and August" were derived from "Summer", or calendric dates were generated
from the radioisotopic (e.g., carbon) dating of samples, or some other interpretation, an
explanation of the interpretation or derivation should be included in this element. In the case of
calendar dates derived from radiocarbon dating, the radiocarbon age (B.P.), its standard
deviation, and the isotope fractionation (if done), along with the calibration scheme used, should
be included.
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Paragraph No.: 2.5.1.4.9.1.1
Element: Calendar Date for Content
Definition: Time period(s) for which the source dataset or information is valid or relevant. Encodes a date as
the year, and optionally month, or month and day. This can be used for multiple dates if
applicable. Use Beginning Date for Content and Ending Date for Content if the data or
information covers a range of dates, and leave Calendar Date for Content empty.
Domain: "Unknown" free date (see comments below for format)
Example: 199409
Comments: As an example, January 24, 1992 A.D. would be expressed as "19920124". For any date A.D.
through December 31, 9999 A.D., values for day, month of year, and year, shall follow the
calendar date convention (general forms of YYYY for years; YYYYMM for month of a year with
the month of the year expressed as an integer, and YYYYMMDD for a day of the year) specified
in American National Standards Institute, 1986, Representation for calendar date and ordinal
date for information exchange (ANSI X3.30-1985) and Federal Information Processing
Standards (FIPS) 4-1. For any date B.C. through 9999 B.C., values for the day, month of year,
and year, shall follow the calendar date convention, preceded by the lower case letter "be"
(general forms of be YYYY for years; bcYYYYMM for month of a year, with month being
expressed as an integer, and bcYYYYMMDD for a day of the year). For any dates B.C. before
9999 B.C., values for the year shall consist of as many numeric characters as are needed to
represent the number of the year B.C., preceded by the lower case letters "cc" (general form of
ccYYYYYYY...). The entire compound element, Source Information, Source Time Period of
Content, may be repeated if there are multiple source datasets used in putting together this
dataset or document. Calendar Date for Content of the source dataset is one element within
Source Information, Source Time Period of Content and therefore may be repeated multiple
times, once per source dataset.
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Paragraph No.: 2.5.1.4.9.3.1
Element: Beginning Date for Content
Definition: Beginning Date for which the source dataset or information is valid or relevant. Encodes the
beginning date as the year, and optionally month, or month and day.
Domain: "Unknown" free date (see comments below for format)
Example: 19910401
Comments: As an example, January 24, 1992 A.D. would be expressed as "19920124". For any date A.D.
through December 31, 9999 A.D., values for day, month of year, and year, shall follow the
calendar date convention (general forms of YYYY for years; YYYYMM for month of a year with
the month of the year expressed as an integer, and YYYYMMDD for a day of the year) specified
in American National Standards Institute, 1986, Representation for calendar date and ordinal
date for information exchange (ANSI X3.30-1985) and Federal Information Processing
Standards (FIPS) 4-1. For any date B.C. through 9999 B.C., values for the day, month of year,
and year, shall follow the calendar date convention, preceded by the lower case letter "be"
(general forms of be YYYY for years; bcYYYYMM for month of a year, with month being
expressed as an integer, and bcYYYYMMDD for a day of the year). For any dates B.C. before
9999 B.C., values for the year shall consist of as many numeric characters as are needed to
represent the number of the year B.C., preceded by the lower case letters "cc" (general form of
ccYYYYYYY...). The entire compound element, Source Information, Source Time Period of
Content, may be repeated if there are multiple source datasets used in putting together this
dataset or document. Beginning Date for Content of the source dataset is one element within
Source Information, Source Time Period of Content and therefore may be repeated multiple
times, once per source dataset.
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Paragraph No.: 2.5.1.4.9.3.3
Element: Ending Date for Content
Definition: Ending Date for which the dataset or information is valid or relevant. Encodes the ending date
as the year, and optionally month, or month and day.
Domain: "Unknown" free date (see comments below for format)
Example: 19910430
Comments: As an example, January 24, 1992 A.D. would be expressed as "19920124". For any date A.D.
through December 31, 9999 A.D., values for day, month of year, and year, shall follow the
calendar date convention (general forms of YYYY for years; YYYYMM for month of a year with
the month of the year expressed as an integer, and YYYYMMDD for a day of the year) specified
in American National Standards Institute, 1986, Representation for calendar date and ordinal
date for information exchange (ANSI X3.30-1985) and Federal Information Processing
Standards (FIPS) 4-1. For any date B.C. through 9999 B.C., values for the day, month of year,
and year, shall follow the calendar date convention, preceded by the lower case letter "be"
(general forms of be YYYY for years; bcYYYYMM for month of a year, with month being
expressed as an integer, and bcYYYYMMDD for a day of the year). For any dates B.C. before
9999 B.C., values for the year shall consist of as many numeric characters as are needed to
represent the number of the year B.C., preceded by the lower case letters "cc" (general form of
ccYYYYYYY...). The entire compound element, Source Information, Source Time Period of
Content, may be repeated if there are multiple source datasets used in putting together this
dataset or document. Ending Date for Content of the source dataset is one element within Source
Information, Source Time Period of Content, and therefore may be repeated multiple times, once
per source dataset.
Paragraph No.: 2.5.1.5
Element: Source Citation Abbreviation
Definition: Short-form alias for the source citation.
Domain: free text
Example: ANNCONCNO3
Comments: This element can provide the means to link a source with the process steps using or producing
this dataset/document. This is achieved by entering the same text in the Source Used or Produced
Citation Abbreviation element as in this element. The entire compound element, Source
Information - Citation, may be repeated if there are multiple source datasets used in putting
together this dataset or document. Source Citation Abbreviation is one element within Source
Information, Citation, and therefore may be repeated multiple times, once per source dataset.
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Paragraph No.: 2.5.1.6
Element: Source Contribution
Definition: Brief statement identifying the information contributed by the source to the data set.
Domain: free text
Example: American shad population estimates for the upper bay based on shad captured, tagged, and
recaptured.
Comments: The entire compound element, Source Information may be repeated if there are multiple source
datasets used in putting together this dataset or document. Source Contribution is one element
within Source Information and therefore may be repeated multiple times, once per source
dataset.
Paragraph No.: 2.5.2.1
Element: Process Description
Definition: An explanation of a single event or data manipulation and related parameters or tolerances.
Domain: free text
Example: Tabular data were hand entered from Agricultural Census books for acres of pasture, crop, and
hay into an Excel spreadsheet.
Comments: The entire compound element, Process Step, may be repeated if there are multiple methods of
data collection and processing used to produce this dataset or document. Process Description is
one element within Process Step, and therefore may be repeated multiple times, once per Process
Step. The compound element, Process Step, including the Process Description, Source Used
Citation Abbreviation, Process Date, and Source Produced Citation will be used to capture all
pertinent information from sampling methodology to data manipulation and presentation. Note
the NBII Standard has implemented an additional and separate set of elements used to capture
field and lab methodology, from the FGDC's data processing elements. For CIMS all
methods/processing steps are required to be entered in the compound element, Process Step.
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Paragraph No.: 2.5.2.2
Element: Source Used Citation Abbreviation
Definition: The Source Citation Abbreviation (2.5.1.5) of a dataset used in the processing step.
Domain: Source Citation Abbreviations from the Source Information entries for the dataset.
Example: ANNCONCNO3
Comments: The entire compound element, Process Step, may be repeated if there are multiple methods of
data collection and processing used to produce this dataset or document. Source Used Citation
Abbreviation is one element within Process Step, and therefore may be repeated multiple times,
once per Process Step. The compound element, Process Step, including the Process Description,
Source Used Citation Abbreviation, Process Date, and Source Produced Citation will be used to
capture all pertinent information from sampling methodology to data manipulation and
presentation. Note the NBII Standard has implemented an additional and separate set of
elements used to capture field and lab methodology, from the FGDC's data processing elements.
For CIMS all methods/processing steps are required to be entered in the compound element,
Process Step. This is the element that ties this processing step to a particular Source Citation.
This element can provide the means to link what Source Citation was used in this processing
step to create the dataset or document. This is achieved by entering the same text in the Source
Citation Abbreviation element as in this element.
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Paragraph No.: 2.5.2.3
Element: Process Date
Definition: The date when the event was completed. Encodes a date as the year, and optionally month, or
month and day.
Domain: "Unknown" "Not Complete" free date (see comments below for format)
Example: 19920124
Comments: As an example, January 24, 1992 A.D. would be expressed as "19920124". For any date A.D.
through December 31, 9999 A.D., values for day, month of year, and year, shall follow the
calendar date convention (general forms of YYYY for years; YYYYMM for month of a year with
the month of the year expressed as an integer, and YYYYMMDD for a day of the year) specified
in American National Standards Institute, 1986, Representation for calendar date and ordinal
date for information exchange (ANSI X3.30-1985) and Federal Information Processing
Standards (FIPS) 4-1. For any date B.C. through 9999 B.C., values for the day, month of year,
and year, shall follow the calendar date convention, preceded by the lower case letter "be"
(general forms of be YYYY for years; bcYYYYMM for month of a year, with month being
expressed as an integer, and bcYYYYMMDD for a day of the year). For any dates B.C. before
9999 B.C., values for the year shall consist of as many numeric characters as are needed to
represent the number of the year B.C., preceded by the lower case letters "cc" (general form of
ccYYYYYYY...).
The entire compound element, Process Step, may be repeated if there are multiple methods of
data collection and processing used to produce this dataset or document. Process Date is one
element within Process Step, and therefore may be repeated multiple times, once per Process
Step. The compound element, Process Step, including the Process Description, Source Used
Citation Abbreviation, Process Date, and Source Produced Citation will be used to capture all
pertinent information from sampling methodology to data manipulation and presentation.
Paragraph No.: 2.5.2.5
Element:
Definition:
Source Produced Citation Abbreviation
The Source Citation Abbreviation (2.5. 1.5) of an intermediate dataset that (1) is significant in
the opinion of the data producer, (2) is generated in the processing step, and (3) is used in later
processing steps.
Domain: Source Citation Abbreviations from the Source Information entries for the dataset.
Example: CBPLU 1990
Comments: The entire compound element, Process Step, may be repeated if there are multiple methods of
data collection and processing used to produce this dataset or document. Source Produced
Citation Abbreviation is one element within Process Step, and therefore may be repeated
multiple times, once per Process Step.
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Paragraph No.: 5.1.1.1
Element: Entity Type Label
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
The name of the entity type. An entity type is the definition and description of a set into which
similar entity instances are classified (e.g., bridge, duck, air sample, etc.).
free text
Toxicity
Paragraph No.: 5.1.1.2
Element: Entity Type Definition
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
The description of the entity type. An entity type is the definition and description of a set into
which similar entity instances are classified (e.g., bridge, duck, air sample, etc.).
free text
Paragraph No.: 5.1.1.3
Element: Entity Type Definition Source
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
The authority of the entity type definition. An entity type is the definition and description of a set
into which similar entity instances are classified (e.g., bridge, duck, air sample, etc.).
free text
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Paragraph No.: 5.1.2.1
Element: Attribute Label
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
The name of the attribute (e.g., species name, land-cover type, size, etc.). An attribute is a
defined characteristic of an entity; any measurement or label attached to the entity is an attribute.
free text
effect
Paragraph No.: 5.1.2.2
Element: Attribute Definition
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
The description of the attribute. An attribute is a defined characteristic of an entity; any
measurement or label attached to the entity is an attribute.
free text
toxicity effect code
Paragraph No.: 5.1.2.3
Element: Attribute Definition Source
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
The authority of the attribute definition. An attribute is a defined characteristic of an entity; any
measurement or label attached to the entity is an attribute.
free text
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Paragraph No.: 5.1.2.4.1.1
Element: Enumerated Domain Value
Definition: The name or label of a member of the set (i.e., a list of all the valid attribute values).
Domain: free text
Example: LC50
Comments: Enter this element or Range Domain or Codeset Domain
Paragraph No.: 5.1.2.4.1.2
Element: Enumerated Domain Value Definition
Definition: The description of the value.
Domain: free text
Example: Lethal concentration effect, 50% of organisms
Comments: Enter this element or Range Domain or Codeset Domain
Paragraph No.: 5.1.2.4.1.3
Element: Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source
Definition: The authority of the definition.
Domain: free text
Example:
Comments: Enter this element or Range Domain or Codeset Domain
Paragraph No.: 5.1.2.4.2.1
Element: Range Domain Minimum
Definition: The lowest value that the attribute can be assigned.
Domain: free text
Example: 0
Comments: Enter this element or Enumerated Domain or Codeset Domain
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Paragraph No.: 5.1.2.4.2.2
Element: Range Domain Maximum
Definition: The greatest value that the attribute can be assigned.
Domain: free text
Example: 160
Comments: Enter this element or Enumerated Domain or Codeset Domain
Paragraph No.: 5.1.2.4.3.1
Element: Codeset Name
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
The title of the codeset.
free text
Comments: Enter this element or Enumerated Domain or Range Domain. Codeset Domain should only be
used in addition to Enumerated or Range Domain. Enumerated or Range Domain should be used
to access CIMS Query/Analysis capabilities.
Paragraph No.: 5.1.2.4.3.2
Element: Codeset Source
Definition: The authority for the codeset.
free text
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
Enter this element or Enumerated Domain or Range Domain. Codeset Domain should only be
used in addition to Enumerated or Range Domain. Enumerated or Range Domain should be used
to access CIMS Query/Analysis capabilities.
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Paragraph No.: 5.1.2.5
Element: Attribute Units of Measure
Definition: The standard of measurement for an attribute value. This field is not applicable if an attribute is
not measured (e.g., name, sex, codes, etc.).
Domain: free text
Example: meters/second
Comments: Enter this element or Enumerated Domain or Range Domain. Codeset Domain should only be
used in addition to Enumerated or Range Domain. Enumerated or Range Domain should be used
to access QMS Query/Analysis capabilities
Paragraph No.: 5.2.1
Element: Entity and Attribute Overview
Definition: Detailed summary of the information contained in a data set.
free text
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
Enter this element or Detailed Description. Use Detailed Description to access CIMS
capabilities.
Paragraph No.: 5.2.2
Element: Entity and Attribute Detail and Citation
Definition: Reference to the complete description of the entity types, attributes, and attribute values for the
data set.
Domain: free text
Example:
Comments: Enter this element or Detailed Description. Use Detailed Description to access CIMS
capabilities.
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VII. CIMS Level 3 Metadata
A. Overview
The purpose of CIMS Level 3 Metadata is to begin to provide the information necessary to
initiate queries and analyses of spatially referenced data including tabular datasets with
coordinates, maps, and GIS coverages. The elements in Level 3 of CIMS metadata will supply
the information about a dataset necessary to query and analyze a particular dataset or sets.
As stated earlier, the CIMS metadata Levels build upon one another. Compliance with CIMS
Level 3 Metadata requires that users refer to and enter metadata for all CIMS Level 1 elements
(see Section V), the additional elements unique to CIMS Level 2 (see Section VI) which pertain
to data quality and attributes, and the additional elements unique to CIMS Level 3. The elements
unique to Level 3 are detailed below.
Level 3 metadata are applicable to spatially referenced data. Geospatial or spatially referenced
data are data that contain coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude). Non-geospatial data or data
that are not spatially referenced are data that do not include coordinates in the data itself. Tabular
datasets which contain geographic coordinates, maps, and GIS data such as an ARC/INFO
coverage of counties are examples of geospatial datasets for which CIMS Level 3 metadata would
be entered.
The information unique to CIMS Level 3 is taken from Section 2- Data Quality Information,
Section 3 - Spatial Data Organization Information, and Section 4 - Spatial Reference Information
of the FGDC and NBII Metadata Standards.
For geospatial data, it is important to know the scale of the source materials and the accuracy of
the data. To analyze two or more spatially referenced datasets, the coordinates must be in the
same projection and datum. Additionally, to analyze raster spatial datasets, they must have the
same bounding coordinates and number of rows and columns. Therefore, these pieces of
information are crucial to provide the desired query and analytical functions in CIMS.
This section contains a summary table listing the elements that are unique to Level 3. The Table
has five columns, with the following headings: Metadata Section, Compound Element, Paragraph
Number, Element Name, and Repeat. Also, included in this section are detailed descriptions of the
metadata elements unique to this Level. Details of the individual pieces of information or data
elements are included in this section. The descriptions of the elements include the FGDC
Paragraph Number, Element name, Definition, and Domain, as well as Example and Comments.
For more information on how to use this section or how it is organized, refer to Section IV - How
To Use This Document.
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B. CIMS Level 3 - Summary of Unique Elements
Metadata
Section
Data Quality
Spatial Data
Organization
Information
Spatial
Reference
Information
Compound Element
Positional Accuracy, Horizontal
Positional Accuracy
Positional Accuracy, Horizontal
Accuracy, Quantitative Horizontal
Positional Accuracy Assessment
Positional Accuracy, Vertical
Positional Accuracy
Source Information
Point and Vector Object Information,
SDTS Terms Description
FGDC
(NBII)
Paragraph
Number
2.4.1.1
2.4.1.2.1
2.4.1.2.2
2.4.2.1
2.5.1.2
3.1
3.2
3.3.1.1
3.3.1.2
Element Name
Horizontal Positional Accuracy
Report
Horizontal Positional Accuracy
Value
Horizontal Positional Accuracy
Explanation
Vertical Positional Accuracy
Report
Source Scale Denominator
Indirect Spatial Reference
Direct Spatial Reference
SDTS Point and Vector Object
Type
Point and Vector Object Count
OR
Raster Object Information
Horizontal Coordinate System
Definition, Geographic
3.4.2
3.4.3
4.1.1.1
4.1.1.2
4.1.1.3
Row Count
Column Count
Latitude Resolution
Longitude Resolution
Geographic Coordinate Units
OR
Horizontal Coordinate System
Definition, Planar, Map Projection
Horizontal Coordinate System
Definition, Planar, Grid Coordinate
System
Horizontal Coordinate System
Definition, Planar, Grid Coordinate
System, Universal Transverse Mercator
4.1.2.1.1
4.1.2.1.2
Map Projection Name
Map projection parameters
(4.1.2.1.2.1 -4.1.2.1.2.17)
OR
4.1.2.2.1
4.1.2.2.2.1
Grid Coordinate System Name
UTM Zone Number
OR
Repeat
2
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
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Metadata
Section
Compound Element
Horizontal Coordinate System
Definition, Planar, Grid Coordinate
System, State Plane Coordinate System
FGDC
(NBII)
Paragraph
Number
4.1.2.2.4.1
Element Name
SPCS Zone Identifier
Repeat
2
+
2 Repeat
/ - This is an individual data element which may be repeated multiple times.
+ - This is an individual data element within a compound element. This compound element may be repeated
multiple times.
+/ - This is an individual data element within a compound element. This compound element may be repeated
multiple times. In addition, this individual data element may be repeated within one instance of the
compound element.
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C. CIMS Level 3 - Element Descriptions
Paragraph No.: 2.4.1.1
Element: Horizontal Positional Accuracy Report
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
An explanation of the accuracy of the horizontal coordinate measurements and a description of
the tests used.
free text
Paragraph No.: 2.4.1.2.1
Element: Horizontal Positional Accuracy Value
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
An estimate of the accuracy of the horizontal coordinate measurements in the data set expressed
in (ground) meters.
free real
Paragraph No.: 2.4.1.2.2.2
Element: Horizontal Positional Accuracy Explanation
Definition: The identification of the test that yielded the Horizontal Positional Accuracy Value.
Domain: free text
Example:
Comments:
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Paragraph No.: 2.4.2.1
Element: Vertical Positional Accuracy Report
Definition: An explanation of the accuracy of the vertical coordinate measurements and a description of the
tests used.
Domain: free text
Example:
Comments:
Paragraph No.: 2.5.1.2
Element: Source Scale Denominator
Definition: The denominator of the representative fraction on a map.
Domain: Source Scale Denominator > 1
Example: 24000
Comments: On a l:24,000-scale map, the Source Scale Denominator is 24000.
Paragraph No.: 3.1
Element: Indirect Spatial Reference
Definition: Name of types of geographic features, addressing schemes, or other means through which
locations are referenced in the data set.
Domain: free text
Example: Wicomico County
Comments: An indirect spatial reference is any way to describe a location without using coordinates.
Paragraph No.: 3.2
Element: Direct Spatial Reference Method
Definition: The system of objects used to represent space in the data set.
Domain: "Point" "Vector" "Raster"
Example: Point
Comments:
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Paragraph No.: 3.3.1.1
Element: SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
Name of point and vector spatial objects used to locate zero-, one-, and two-dimensional spatial
locations in the data set.
(The domain is from "Spatial Data Concepts," which is chapter 2 of part 1 in Department of
Commerce, 1992, Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) (Federal Information Processing
Standard 173): Washington, Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and
Technology):"Point" "Entity point" "Label point" "Area point" "Node, planar graph" "Node,
network" "String" "Link" "Complete chain" "Area chain" "Network chain, planar graph"
"Network chain, nonplanar graph" "Circular arc, three point center" "Elliptical arc"
"Uniform B-spline" "Piecewise Bezier" "Ring with mixed composition"
"Ring composed of strings" "Ring composed of chains" "Ring composed of arcs" "G-polygon"
"GT-polygon composed of rings" "GT-polygon composed of chains"
"Universe polygon composed of rings" "Universe polygon composed of chains"
"Void polygon composed of rings" "Void polygon composed of chains"
Point
Paragraph No.: 3.3.1.2
Element: Point and Vector Object Count
Definition: The total number of the point or vector object type occurring in the data set.
Domain: Point and Vector Object Count > 0
Example: 462
Comments: Enter information in this element if Direct Spatial Reference Method (3.2) is Point or Vector.
Paragraph No.: 3.4.2
Element: Row Count
Definition: The maximum number of raster objects along the ordinate (y) axis. For use with rectangular
raster objects.
Domain: Row Count > 0
Example: 989
Comments: Enter information in this element if Direct Spatial Reference Method (3.2) is Raster.
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Paragraph No.: 3.4.3
Column Count
Definition:
raster objects.
Domain:
Example: 762
Enter information in this element if Direct Spatial Reference Method (3.2) is Raster.
Paragraph No.:
Element: Latitude Resolution
The minimum difference between two adjacent latitude values expressed in Geographic
Coordinate Units of measure.
Latitude Resolution > 0.0
Example:
Comments:
Paragraph No.:
Element: Longitude Resolution
The minimum difference between two adjacent longitude values expressed in Geographic
Coordinate Units of measure.
Longitude Resolution > 0.0
Example:
Comments:
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Paragraph No.: 4.1.1.3
Element: Geographic Coordinate Units
Definition: Units of measure used for the latitude and longitude values.
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
"Decimal degrees" "Decimal minutes" "Decimal seconds" "Degrees and decimal minutes"
"Degrees, minutes, and decimal seconds" "Radians" "Grads"
Degrees and decimal minutes
Paragraph No.: 4.1.2.1.1
Element: Map Projection Name
Definition: Name of the map projection.
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
"Albers Conical Equal Area" "Azimuthal Equidistant" "Equidistant Conic" "Equirectangular"
"General Vertical Near-sided Projection" "Gnomonic" "Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area"
"Lambert Conformal Conic" "Mercator" "Modified Stereographic for Alaska"
"Miller Cylindrical" "Oblique Mercator" "Orthographic" "Polar Stereographic" "Polyconic"
"Robinson" "Sinusoidal" "Space Oblique Mercator" "Stereographic" "Transverse Mercator"
"van der Grinten" "other projection"
Albers Conical Equal Area
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Paragraph No.: 4.1.2.1.2 (4.1.2.1.2.1 - 4.1.2.1.2.17)
Element:
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Comments:
Map Projection Parameters
The map projection parameters for: Albers Conical Equal Area, Azimuthal Equidistant,
Equidistant Conic, Equirectangular, General Vertical Near-sided Perspective, Gnomonic,
Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area, Lambert Conformal Conic, Mercator, Modified Stereographic
for Alaska, Miller Cylindrical, Oblique Mercator, Orthographic, Polar Stereographic, Polyconic,
Robinson, Sinusoidal, Space Oblique Mercator (Landsat), Stereographic, Transverse Mercator,
van der Grinten ~ parameters for a specific map projection, each having a unique mathematical
relationship between the Earth and the plane or developable surface.
(The data elements 4.1.2.1.2.1 through 4.1.2.1.2.17 are map project parameters. Each map
projection has a specific set of defining parameters. Refer to FGDC's Content Standard for
Digital Geospatial Metadata where these sets of parameters are provided in the syntax for each
projection.)
Reference information on these map projections and their parameters can be found in Snyder,
John, 1987, Map projections: a working manual (U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper
1395): Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office.
Paragraph No.: 4.1.2.2.1
Element: Grid Coordinate System Name
Definition: Name of the grid coordinate system. A grid coordinate system is a plane-rectangular coordinate
system usually based on, and mathematically adjusted to, a map projection so that geographic
positions can be readily transformed to and from plane coordinates.
Domain: "Universal Transverse Mercator" "Universal Polar Stereographic" "State Plane Coordinate
System 1927" "State Plane Coordinate System 1983" "ARC Coordinate System" "other grid
system"
Example: Universal Transverse Mercator
Comments: The majority of CIMS information will be "Universal Transverse Mercator"
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Paragraph No.: 4.1.2.2.2.1
Element: UTM Zone Number
Definition: Identifier for the UTM zone.
Domain: 1 < = UTM Zone Number < = 60 for the northern hemisphere;
-60 < = UTM Zone Number < = -1 for the southern hemisphere
Example: 18
Comments: Enter zone in this element if Grid Coordinate System Name (4.1.2.2.1) is Universal Transverse
Mercator.
Paragraph No.: 4.1.2.2.4.1
Element: SPCS Zone Identifier
Definition: Identifier for the SPCS zone.
Domain: Four-digit numeric codes for the State Plane Coordinate Systems based on the North American
Datum of 1927 are found in Department of Commerce, 1986, Representation of geographic point
locations for information interchange (Federal Information Processing Standard 70-1):
Washington: Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology. Codes
for the State Plane Coordinate Systems based on the North American Datum of 1983 are found in
Department of Commerce, 1989 (January), State Plane Coordinate System of 1983 (National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Manual NOS NGS 5): Silver Spring, Maryland,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Coast and Geodetic
Survey.
Example: 1900
Comments: Enter zone in this element if Grid Coordinate System Name (4.1.2.2.1) is State Plane Coordinate
System 1927 or State Plane Coordinate System 1983.
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Appendix A - CIMS Data Originator/Organization List
NOTE: To add a data originator or organization and/or make corrections, contact the CIMS
Data Librarian.
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (ACB)
AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC)
Chesapeake Bay Institute (CBI)
Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP)
Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC)
Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC)
Department of the Air Force (USAF)
Department of the Navy (USN)
District of Columbia Environmental Regulation Administration (DCRA)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
George Mason University (GMU)
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB)
Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA)
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (MD DHCD)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Forest, Wildlife & Heritage (MD DNR FWH)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Chesapeake and Coastal Watershed Service (MD
DNR CCWS)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Land & Water Conservation Service (MD DNR
LWCS)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Resource Assessment Service (MD DNR RAS)
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)
Maryland Office of Planning (MD OP)
Maryland State Highway Administration (MD SHA)
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MW COG)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Coastal Ocean Program (COP)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Climate Data Center (NCDC)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and
Information Service (NESDIS)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service (NOS)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC
)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service (NWS)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Global Programs (OGP)
National Park Service (NFS)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
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New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS EnCon)
Old Dominion University, Applied Marine Research Laboratory (ODU AMRL)
Old Dominion University, Department of Biological Sciences (ODU)
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP)
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
Pennsylvania State University (PSU)
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
RJO Enterprises, Inc. (RJO)
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
South Eastern Development Association - Council of Governments (SEDA-COG)
Smithsonian Institution (SI)
Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC)
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterway Experiment Station (USAGE WES)
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Services Agency (FSA)
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS)
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
U.S. Department of Commerce (USDoC)
U.S. Department of Defense (USDoD)
U.S. Department of the Interior (USDol)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (USEPA)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay Program Office (USEPA CBPO)
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division (BRD)
U.S. Geological Survey, Geologic Division (GD)
U.S. Geological Survey, National Mapping Division (NMD)
U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division (WRD)
University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB)
University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP)
University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI)
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Appalachian Laboratory (UMCES
AL)
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
(UMCES CBL)
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory (UMCES
HPL)
Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation (VA DCR)
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VA DGIF)
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
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Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)
Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI&SU)
West Virginia Geological & Economic Survey (WVGES)
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Appendix B - CIMS Specific Place Names List
NOTE: This list was generated from various sources such as the Geographic Names Information
System (GNIS), TIGER, and Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS). To add a Specific
Place Name and/or make corrections, contact the CIMS Data Librarian.
Populated Places (with
Alexandria
Altoona
Annandale
Annapolis
Arnold
Aspen Hill
Baltimore
Bethesda
Binghamton
Bowie
Burke
Carney
Catonsville
Centreville
Chantilly
Charlottesville
Chesapeake
Chillum
College Park
Columbia
Cumberland
Dale City
Dundalk
Ellicott City
Elmira
Essex
Fairfax
Frederick
States
DC
DE
MD
NY
PA
VA
wv
populations greater than 20,000)
Fredericksburg
Gaithersburg
Germantown
Glen Burnie
Greenbelt
Hagerstown
Hampton
Harrisburg
Harrisonburg
Hazleton
Hopewell
Lancaster
Laurel
Lebanon
Lochearn
Lynchburg
Manassas
McLean
Mechanicsville
Middle River
Mount Vernon
Newport News
Norfolk
Oakton
Olney
Parkville
Perry Hall
Petersburg
Pikesville
Portsmouth
Potomac
Randall stown
Reston
Richmond
Rockville
Salisbury
Scranton
Severn
Severna Park
Silver Spring
Springfield
State College
Staunton
Sterling
Suffolk
Towson
Tuckahoe
Virginia Beach
Washington
West Springfield
Wilkes-Barre
Williamsport
Winchester
Woodbridge
Woodlawn
York
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Counties
Accomack County
Adams County
Albemarle County
Allegany County
Alleghany County
Amelia County
Amherst County
Anne Arundel County
Appomattox County
Arlington County
Augusta County
Baltimore County
Bath County
Bedford County
Berkeley County
Berks County
Blair County
Botetourt County
Bradford County
Broome County
Buckingham County
Calvert County
Cambria County
Cameron County
Campbell County
Caroline County
Carroll County
Cecil County
Centre County
Charles City County
Charles County
Chemung County
Chenango County
Chester County
Chesterfield County
Clarke County
Clearfield County
Clinton County
Columbia County
Cortland County
Craig County
Culpeper County
Cumberland County
Dauphin County
Delaware County
Dinwiddie County
District of Columbia
Dorchester County
Elk County
Essex County
Fairfax County
Fauquier County
Fluvanna County
Franklin County
Frederick County
Fulton County
Garrett County
Giles County
Gloucester County
Goochland County
Grant County
Greene County
Hampshire County
Hanover County
Hardy County
Harford County
Henrico County
Herkimer County
Highland County
Howard County
Huntingdon County
Indiana County
Isle of Wight County
James City County
Jefferson County
Juniata County
Kent County
King George County
King William County
King and Queen County
Lackawanna County
Lancaster County
Lebanon County
Livingston County
Loudoun County
Louisa County
Luzerne County
Lycoming County
Madison County
Mathews County
Me Kean County
Middlesex County
Mifflin County
Mineral County
Monroe County
Montgomery County
Montour County
Morgan County
Nelson County
New Castle County
New Kent County
Northampton County
Northumberland County
Nottoway County
Oneida County
Onondaga County
Ontario County
Orange County
Otsego County
Page County
Pendleton County
Perry County
Potter County
Powhatan County
Prince Edward County
Prince George County
Prince George's County
Prince William County
Queen Anne's County
Rappahannock County
Richmond County
Roanoke County
Rockbridge County
Rockingham County
Schoharie County
Schuyler County
Schuylkill County
Shenandoah County
Snyder County
Somerset County
Spotsylvania County
St. Mary's County
Stafford County
Steuben County
Sullivan County
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Surry County
Susquehanna County
Sussex County
Talbot County
Tioga County
Tompkins County
Rivers
Anacostia River
Appomattox River
Blackwater River
Bohemia River
Bush River
Cacapon River
Chenango River
Chester River
Chicamacomico River
Choptank River
Coan River
Cohocton River
Conestoga River
East River
Elizabeth River
Great Wicomico River
Gunpowder Falls
Gunpowder River
Hampton River
Union County
Warren County
Washington County
Wayne County
Westmoreland County
Wicomico County
Indian River
James River
Little Annemessex River
Little Blackwater River
Little Cacapon River
Little Magothy River
Little Monocacy River
Little Patuxent River
Little Wicomico River
Lynnhaven River
Magothy River
Mattaponi River
Middle River
Middle Patuxent River
Monocacy River
Nanticoke River
Occoquan River
Pamunkey River
Patapsco River
Worcester County
Wyoming County
Yates County
York County
Patuxent River
Pocomoke River
Potomac River
Rappahannock River
Sassafras River
Savage River
Severn River
Shenandoah River
South River
Staunton River
Susquehanna River
Tioga River
Warwick River
West River
Wicomico River
Wye East River
Wye River
York River
Streams
Abrahams Creek
Allen Creek
Antietam Creek
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Aspen Run
Back Creek
Bald Eagle Creek
Bargers Run
Bear Pen Run
Bearfield Run
Bell Creek
Ben Creek
Big Cattail Creek
Big Hollow Branch
Big Run
Bill Run
Black Run
Blevins Creek
Breastwork Run
Bridgeville Branch
Briery Creek
Browns Creek
Cabin Run
Cahoon Creek
Cattail Creek
Cave Run
Charlies Run
Cherry Run
Church Run
Clark Creek
Coal Run
Colby Creek
Coleman Creek
Colgate Creek
Conway River
Coopers Creek
Corbett Branch
Courthouse Creek
Crab Creek
Crab Run
Cuffs Run
Currioman Creek
Deep Run
Diascund Creek
Dry Creek
Dry Run
Ducker Creek
East Branch Wyalusing Creek
Ebaughs Creek
Elk Lick Run
Ellis Brook
Elmington Creek
Fall Run
Falling Branch
Felgates Creek
Fidlers Run
Fly Creek
Foley Branch
Fox Run
France Creek
German River
Glebe Creek
Golin Run
Goose Creek
Graveyard Run
Greenvale Creek
Gum Branch
Hands Run
Hardware River
Harris Creek
Hawkins Creek
Hayes Gap Run
Hodgmans Creek
Hog Neck Creek
Hogback Creek
Honey Branch
Horsepen Arm
Hunters Run
Israel Creek
Jackson Branch
Johnny Moore Creek
Kentuck Run
Laning Creek
Laurel Brook
Lewes Creek
Little Anderson Creek
Little Blackwater River
Little Creek
Little Nelson Run
Little Rocky Creek
Long Marsh Run
Lynnwood Run
Martin Creek
Massaponax Creek
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Mataponi Creek
Mayer Branch
McDowell Run
Meads Creek
Merry Run
Meshoppen Creek
Michael Run
Middle Branch Wyalusing Creek
Middletown Branch
Miles Creek
Mill Creek
Millenbeck Prong
Monie Creek
Monongahela Creek
Moravian Run
Morgan Branch
Mosquito Creek
Mouse Run
Muddy Run
Mudlick Run
Myrtle Swamp
Newport Creek
North Branch Rock Creek
Otego Creek
Paint Branch
Phelps Creek
Pimmit Run
Piney Branch
Piney Creek
Podickery Creek
Politts Branch
Porter Run
Porterfield Run
Portobago Creek
Powhite Creek
Poythress Run
Pursley Run
Quantico Creek
Red Oak Creek
Rock Creek
Rockhouse Branch
Rockwell Run
Roys Run
Sandtown Branch
Sandy Run
Sawmill Run
Schell Run
Sears Run
Seneca Creek
Sevenmile Run
Shaws Fork
Shenton Creek
Sherman Creek
Silver Creek
Simpson Creek
Sinking Creek
Sir Johns Run
Skimino Creek
Sloop Creek
Snitz Creek
Sowell Branch
Spady Creek
Specks Run
Spences Creek
Spotico Creek
Spring Run
Standing Stone Creek
Sterling Run
Stone Mill Brook
Stony Creek
Stony Hollow Run
Strait Creek
Sugar Grove Run
Sugar Works Run
Sullivan Branch
Sulphur Run
Swan Point Creek
Syberrys Creek
Thompson Creek
Three Forks Run
Tilghman Branch
Tobe Run
Toms Run
Tonys Creek
Troups Creek
Tubbs Branch
Tuscarora Creek
Tyler Creek
Tyler Run
Valley Creek
Valley Run
Wapti Creek
Waukiki Creek
Wet Stone Branch
White Marsh Branch
Willett Run
Willow Run
Wills Creek
Worton Creek
Yaleville Brook
Zeke Run
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Appendix B
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Appendix C - Additional Metadata Guidance for Publications
The purpose of this appendix is to provide additional guidance to those entering metadata for
publications. Its purpose is two-fold:
1. Present a limited number of additional metadata elements relevant when creating
publication metadata
CIMS Level 1 Metadata discussed in Section V, details the minimum information required
for all information types. There are several additional elements of metadata that are of
particular relevance to publications. The elements described below do not constitute a
comprehensive list of all possible elements, but are those that are considered to be highly
relevant. Entering information for these additional elements is optional, and not required
to be CIMS compliant.
2. Explain more fully how several CIMS Level 1 metadata elements, described in Section V,
may be filled out specifically for publications.
Additional Metadata Elements for Publications
The following are descriptions of additional elements that may be relevant for publications:
Paragraph No.: 1.1.8.5
Element: Edition
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
The version of the title.
free text
Comments: This element is "Mandatory If Applicable" according to FGDC, and part of the Citation
compound element.
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Paragraph No.: 1.11(1.12)
Element: Dataset Credit
Definition: Recognition of those who contributed to the data set
Domain: free text
Example: Staff from the Maryland Department of the Environment's Chesapeake Bay and Special Projects
Program contributed substantial time and effort toward successful completion of the technical
synthesis.
Comments: This element allows the originator to recognize other person(s), organization(s), or events that
made the data set possible. These might include sponsors, sources of funds, reviewers,
dedications, etc. This element is "Optional" according to FGDC, but should be entered for all
CBP documents.
Paragraph No.: 1.14.8.1 (1.15.8.1)
Element: Cross Reference - Originator
Definition: The Cross Reference provides information about other, related datasets and information products
that are likely to be of interest. The name of an organization or individual that developed the
related dataset or document. If the name of editors or compilers are provided, the name must be
followed by "(ed.)" or "(comp.)" respectively. If possible, the organization name should be given
to the sub-organizational level to which the individual(s) that developed the data is (are)
"attached".
Domain: (liefer to the CIMS list of data originators/organizations in Appendix A)
Example: Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences (VIMS)
Comments: The FGDC Standard allows free text for this element's domain. To ensure accurate entry of this
element and subsequent searching, use the list provided. Notify the CIMS Data Librarian of
missing/incorrect values and the necessary modification(s) will be made to the list. This element
may be repeated multiple times to illustrate that the data or document was developed by several
organizations. The Cross Reference element is "Optional" according to FGDC.
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Paragraph No.: 1.14.8.2(1.15.8.2)
Element: Cross Reference - Publication Date
Definition: The Cross Reference provides information about other, related datasets and information products
that are likely to be of interest. The date when the related dataset or document was published or
otherwise made available for release. Encodes a date as the year, and optionally month, or month
and day.
Domain: "Unknown" "Unpublished Material" free date (see comments below for format)
Example: 19920124
Comments: As an example, January 24, 1992 A.D. would be expressed as "19920124". For any date A.D.
through December 31, 9999 A.D., values for day, month of year, and year, shall follow the
calendar date convention (general forms of YYYY for years; YYYYMM for month of a year with
the month of the year expressed as an integer, and YYYYMMDD for a day of the year) specified
in American National Standards Institute, 1986, Representation for calendar date and ordinal
date for information exchange (ANSI X3.30-1985) and Federal Information Processing
Standards (FIPS) 4-1. For any date B.C. through 9999 B.C., values for the day, month of year,
and year, shall follow the calendar date convention, preceded by the lower case letter "be"
(general forms of be YYYY for years; bcYYYYMM for month of a year, with month being
expressed as an integer, and bcYYYYMMDD for a day of the year). For any dates B.C. before
9999 B.C., values for the year shall consist of as many numeric characters as are needed to
represent the number of the year B.C., preceded by the lower case letters "cc" (general form of
ccYYYYYYY...). The Cross Reference element is "Optional" according to FGDC.
Paragraph No.: 1.14.8.4(1.15.8.4)
Element: Cross Reference - Title
Definition:
Domain:
Example:
Synthesis
The Cross Reference provides information about other, related datasets and information products
that are likely to be of interest. The name by which the related dataset or document is known.
free text
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Habitat Requirements and Restoration Targets: A Technical
Comments: The Cross Reference element is "Optional" according to FGDC.
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6.2
Element:
Definition: The identifier by which the distributor knows the data set.
free text
Example:
Comments: A resource description is a label by which a dataset can be requested from a distributor. A
to FGDC.
Detailed Explanation of Selected Metadata Elements for Publications
Some publications are updated on a regular or semi-regular basis, retaining the same title and
other metadata components (the
Resources Monitoring Data publication is one example). In such instances, only minor changes
though there may be several physical documents, only one metadata record is necessary. This
single record can refer to numerous issues of the same publication by referring to all distinct
elements may facilitate this approach.
The (1.1.8.2) should be filled in with the publication date of the most recent
version of the publication.
for each time the document was published, should be entered for the Calendar Date
the Time Period of Content Time Period of Content
Explanation
The Maintenance and Update Frequency
to be updated. A publication such as the State of the Bay
two years, therefore a value of "Biennially" may be used. Other publications such as the Users
may not
change on a regular basis, but will be updated as formats of data submitted to the CBP change or
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As for Time Period of Content, there may be multiple versions of the publication that are available
or that users are interested in obtaining. References to the multiple versions can be entered in a
single metadata record. The Network Resource Name (6.4.2.2.1.1.1.1) is the name of the file or
service from which the publication can be obtained. This element may be repeated multiple times,
once for each version. It is suggested that a unique name be created for each published document
which indicates the date or version of the publication.
Series
A series is a succession of volumes or issues published with related subjects or authors, similar
format and price, or continuous numbering. Much of the metadata for individual documents in a
series is the same or nearly so. A metadata record should be created for each dataset or
document in a series.
There are two additional metadata elements that are required for publication series. These
individual data elements are contained in the compound element, Series Information (1.1.8.7 ).
The detailed descriptions of these two elements are not included in any CIMS Level of metadata
and therefore can be found below.
Paragraph No.: 1.1.8.7.1
Element: Series Name
Definition: The name of the series publication of which the dataset is a part.
Domain: free text
Example: TIGER/Line Census Files (1995)
Comments:
Paragraph No.: 1.1.8.7.2
Element: Issue Identification
Definition: Publication details for published datasets
Domain: free text
Example: Version (0024)
Comments:
Fact Sheets and Press Releases
Fact Sheets and Press Releases present brief statements of important information in a timely
manner. These publications are numerous and are released frequently. To minimize the amount
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of effort required to make this type of information accessible and searchable at a minimum by
subject, author, title, and date as in a typical card catalog, a subset of CIMS Level 1 Metadata
The following are the minimum CIMS Level 1 elements which must be entered for small
publications such as Fact Sheets and Press Releases:
(1.1.8.1
Publication Date 8.2)
(1.1. )
Information Type (Data Presentation Form) 8.6)
(1.6.1.1)
Subject (Theme) Keyword
Place Keyword Thesaurus (1.6.2.1)
(1.6.2.2)
Format Name (If other than an HTML document)
Format Version Number (If other than an HTML document) (6.4.2.1.2)
(6.4.2.2.1.1.1.1)
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Appendix D - URL Reference List
The purpose of this appendix is to provide a complete listing of URL's referred to throughout this
document.
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/bayprogram
The Chesapeake Bay Program web page
http ://www. chesapeakebay.net
The CIMS web page
http://www.fgdc.gov/Metadata/Toollist/MetaTool.html
FGDC Metadata Tools web page (provides lists and evaluation of metadata tools)
http://www.fgdc.gov/Metadata/ContStan.html
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM)
http://www.mews.org/nsdi/
Solicitation of Comments for Revision of the CSDGM (contains FGDC Metadata
Standard revision 2 which can be downloaded)
http://www.nbs.gov/nbii/non-spatial.html
Developing an NBII Metadata Standard for Non-spatial Data: Strategy and Status
(provides a link to FTP a WordPerfect version of the NBII Metadata Standard)
http://www.fgdc.gov/Communications/GenInfo/execord.html
Executive Order 12906, Coordinating Geographic Data Acquisition and Access: The
National Spatial Data Infrastructure
http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/demoweb/url-primer.html
A Beginner's Guide to URLs (provides details about the URL)
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Glossary
[Most of the terms and definitions are from Department of Commerce, 1992, Spatial Data Transfer Standard
(SDTS) (Federal Information Processing Standard 173): Washington: Department of Commerce, National
Institute of Standards and Technology: also from National Biological Service, 1995, Draft Content Standard for
National Biological Information Infrastructure Metadata: Washington: Department of the Interior, National
Biological Service.]
abscissa - the coordinate of a point in a plane cartesian coordinate system obtained by measuring parallel to the
x-axis ("the 'x' value").
accuracy — the closeness of results of observations, computations or estimates to the true values or the values
accepted as being true.
altitude - elevation above or below a reference datum, as defined in Federal Information Processing Standard
70-1. See also elevation.
ARC/INFO - a commercially available geographic information system (GIS) developed by the Environmental
Systems Research Institute (ESRI), Redlands, CA
area - a generic term for a bounded, continuous, two-dimensional object that may or may not include its
boundary.
area chain — a chain that explicitly references left and right polygons and not start and end nodes. It is a
component of a two-dimensional manifold.
area point - a representative point within an area usually carrying attribute information about that area.
arc - a locus of points that forms a curve that is defined by a mathematical expression.
attribute - a defined characteristic of an entity type (e.g. composition, plant coverage, basal area, etc.).
attribute value — a specific quality or quantity assigned to an attribute (e.g., steel), for a specific entity instance.
CBP - Chesapeake Bay Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
chain - a directed nonbranching sequence of nonintersecting line segments and (or) arcs bounded by nodes, not
necessarily distinct, at each end. Area chain, complete chain, and network chain are special cases of chain, and
share all characteristics of the general case as defined above.
CIMS - the Chesapeake Information Management System, the information management framework initiated by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay Program Office
clearinghouse — see National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse.
complete chain — a chain that explicitly references left and right polygons and start and end nodes. It is a
component of a two-dimensional manifold.
compound element - a group of data elements and other compound elements. Compound elements represent
higher-level concepts that cannot be represented by individual data elements.
coordinates - pairs of numbers expressing horizontal distances along orthogonal axes; alternatively, triplets of
numbers measuring horizontal and vertical distances.
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coverage - an electronic map comprised of many files storing the coordinates to spatially reference the
information and its associated attributes that can be viewed or modified with a Geographic Information System.
data element - a logically primitive item of data.
data generator - any individual, agency, or organization that creates or provides data, documents, or other
information products related to the Chesapeake Bay that require metadata.
Data Librarian - the individual responsible for maintaining the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
Chesapeake Bay Program Office's data library.
dataset - a collection of related data.
depth - perpendicular distance of an interior point from the surface of an object.
developable surface - a surface that can be flattened to form a plane without compressing or stretching any part
of it. Examples include cones and cylinders.
digital — electronic format that can be stored and manipulated in a computer.
digital image - a two-dimensional array of regularly spaced picture elements (pixels) constituting a picture.
digital volume - a three-dimensional array of regularly spaced volume elements (voxels) constituting a volume.
domain - in the definition of the elements in the metadata standard, the domain identifies valid values for a data
element.
download — to move a file in electronic format from a computer network (such as the Internet) onto a local
computer or diskette for viewing or other use.
Edge, Topology Level 0 - VPF term for a string.
Edge, Topology Level 1 - VPF term for a network chain in a network (in SDTS, a "Network chain, non-planar
graph").
Edge, Topology Level 2 - VPF term for a network chain in a planar graph (in SDTS, a "Network chain, planar
graph").
Edge, Topology Level 3 - VPF term for a complete chain.
element - also called element name. A specific piece of metadata information that is "filled-in," such as
"Title." See data element.
elevation - conforming to Federal Information Processing Standard 70-1, the term "altitude" is used in this
standard, rather than the common term elevation.
entity — a set into which similar entity instances are classified; a set of similar attributes.
entity instance - a spatial phenomenon of a defined type that is embedded in one or more phenomena of
different type, or that has at least one key attribute value different from the corresponding attribute values of
surrounding phenomena (e.g., the 10 Street Bridge, vegetation field plot #271).
entity point - a point used for identifying the location of point features (or areal features collapsed to a point),
such as towers, buoys, buildings, places, etc.
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entity type - the definition and description of a set into which similar entity instances are classified (e.g.,
bridge, vegetation field plot).
explicit - method of identifying positions directly by pairs (for horizontal positions) or triplets (for horizontal
and vertical positions) of numbers.
Face, Topology Level 3 - VPF term for a GT-polygon composed of rings.
FGDC - Federal Geographic Data Committee
field - a field, also called a data field or element, is a location for a specific piece of data or information.
Fields can exist both in electronic and paper formats. A space on a form designated for an address is one
example of a field.
free text - text not bound by a set of pre-determined options; users may enter any text deemed appropriate.
GIS - Geographic Information System
G-ring - a ring created from strings and (or) arcs.
geospatial data - information that identifies the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed
features and boundaries on the earth. This information may be derived from, among other things, remote
sensing, mapping, and surveying technologies.
graph - a set of topologically interrelated zero-dimensional (node), one-dimensional (link or chain), and some-
times two-dimensional (GT-polygon) objects that conform to a set of defined constraint rules. Numerous rule
sets can be used to distinguish different types of graphs. Three such types, planar graph, network, and two-
dimensional manifold, are used in this standard. All three share the following rules: each link or chain is
bounded by an ordered pair of nodes, not necessarily distinct; a node may bound one or more links or chains;
and links or chains may only intersect at nodes. Planar graphs and networks are two specialized types of graphs,
and a two-dimensional manifold is an even more specific type of planar graph.
grid — (1) a set of grid cells forming a regular, or nearly regular, tessellation of a surface; (2) a set of points
arrayed in a pattern that forms a regular, or nearly regular, tesselation of a surface. The tessellation is regular if
formed by repeating the pattern of a regular polygon, such as a square, equilateral triangle, or regular hexagon.
The tessellation is nearly regular if formed by repeating the pattern of an "almost" regular polygon such as a
rectangle, non-square parallelogram, or non-equilateral triangle.
grid cell - a two-dimensional object that represents the smallest nondivisible element of a grid.
GT-polygon - an area that is an atomic two-dimensional component of one and only one two-dimensional
manifold. The boundary of a GT-polygon may be defined by GT-rings created from its bounding chains. A GT-
polygon may also be associated with its chains (either the bounding set, or the complete set) by direct reference
to these chains. The complete set of chains associated with a GT-polygon may also be found by examining the
polygon references on the chains.
GT-ring - a ring created from complete and (or) area chains.
horizontal — tangent to the geoid or parallel to a plane that is tangent to the geoid.
implicit - method of identifying positions by a place in an array of values.
information - any type, group, or set of data, documents, publications, images, or other item or group of items
that might be included in a metadata database
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interior area - an area not including its boundary.
Keywords - words used to describe information in data, documents, or other information products. These
words are used to index information to allow for automated searches of all information with similar keywords.
label point - a reference point used for displaying map and chart text (e.g., feature names) to assist in feature
identification.
latitude - angular distance measured on a meridian north or south from the equator.
layer - an integrated, areally distributed, set of spatial data usually representing entity instances within one
theme, or having one common attribute or attribute value in an association of spatial objects. In the context of
raster data, a layer is specifically a two-dimensional array of sealer values associated with all of part of a grid or
image.
line - a generic term for a one-dimensional object.
lineage - information about events, parameters, and source data which constructed the data set or information
product, and information about the responsible parties.
line segment — a direct line between two points.
link - a topological connection between two nodes. A link may be directed by ordering its nodes.
longitude - angular distance between the plane of a meridian east or west from the plane of the meridian of
Greenwich.
mandatory - metadata that must be entered under the FGDC Metadata Standard
mandatory if applicable - metadata that must be entered if it is applicable to the data set, document, or other
information in question under the FGDC Metadata Standard
map - a spatial representation, usually graphic on a flat surface, of spatial phenomena.
media - the physical devices used to record, store, and (or) transmit data.
meridian — a great circle on the Earth that passes through the geographic poles.
metadata - data about the content, quality, condition, and other characteristics of data or other information
product.
metadata record - a collection of metadata about a single dataset, document, or other information product or
group of related datasets, documents, or products.
metadata section - The name of the main Section or Chapter in the FGDC or NBII Metadata Standard.
multimedia presentation - a presentation of data or information through a computer system that combines text,
sound, images, or other presentation formats.
National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse - a distributed network of geospatial data producers, managers, and
users linked electronically. Building on initiatives such as the national information infrastructure, the
clearinghouse uses a distributed, electronically connected network, such as the Internet. Each data provider will
describe available data in an electronic form, and provide these descriptions (or "metadata") using means that
can be accessed over a communications network. Thus, the data for the clearinghouse are located at the sites of
data producers (or, where more efficient, at the sites of intermediaries) throughout the country. Using the
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network, users will search these descriptions to locate data that are suitable for their applications.
NBII - The National Biological Information Infrastructure; an initiative led by the Biological Resources
Division (BRD) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), dedicated to the development of an electronic
"federation" of biological data and information sources.
network - a graph without two dimensional objects. If projected onto a two-dimensional surface, a network can
have either more than one node at a point and (or) intersecting links or chains without corresponding nodes.
network address - the electronic address from which the dataset or information product can be obtained from the
distribution computer.
network chain - a chain that explicitly references start and end nodes and not left and right polygons. It is a
component of a network.
network resource name - the name of the file or service from which the dataset or information product can be
obtained from a distributor. The name of the dataset or information product on the network. When appropriate,
Uniform Resource Locators (URL) is provided.
node - a zero-dimensional object that is a topological junction of two or more links or chains, or an end point of
a link or chain.
Node, Topology Level 0 - VPF term for a point (in SDTS, a "point").
Node, Topology Level 1 - VPF term for a node on a network (in SDTS, a "node, network").
Node, Topology Level 2 - VPF term for a node on a planar graph (in SDTS, a "node, planar graph").
Node, Topology Level 3 — VPF term for a point used to represent isolated features. These are topologically
linked to a containing face.
object — a digital representation of all or part of an entity instance.
offline - electronic media such as floppy diskette or CD ROM that is an alternative to the Internet or other file
transfer systems.
optional - metadata that are not mandatory or mandatory if applicable under the FGDC and NBII Metadata
Standards. Such metadata may be entered by the user if desired.
ordinate - the coordinate of a point in a plane cartesian coordinate system obtained by measuring parallel to the
y-axis ("the 'y' value").
paragraph number - The FGDC or NBII paragraph number used to refer to a specific metadata element.
phenomenon - a fact, occurrence or circumstance. Route 10, George Washington National Forest, and
Chesterfield County are all phenomena.
pixel - two-dimensional picture element that is the smallest nondivisible element of a digital image.
planar graph - the node and link or chain objects of the graph occur or can be represented as though they occur
upon a planar surface. Not more than one node may exist at any given point on the surface. Links or chains
may only intersect at nodes.
point - a zero-dimensional object that specifies geometric location. One coordinate pair or triplet specifies the
location. Area point, entity point, and label point are special implementations of the general case.
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polygon - an area consisting of an interior area, one outer G-ring and zero or more nonintersecting, nonnested
inner G-rings. No ring, inner or outer, shall be collinear with or intersect any other ring of the same G-polygon.
primitive - the quality of not being subdivided; atomic.
quality - an essential or distinguishing characteristic necessary for data to be fit for use.
query - a user-specified, automated search of a computerized database to obtain desired data or information.
raster - one or more overlapping layers for the same grid or digital image.
raster object - one or more images and/or grids, each grid or image representing a layer, such that corresponding
grid cells and/or pixels between layers are congruent and registered.
rectangle coordinates - the geographic locations identifying the extend of data or information; identified by four
extreme locations or corners of the data.
resolution - the minimum difference between two independently measured or computed values which can be
distinguished by the measurement or analytical method being considered or used.
ring - sequence of nonintersecting chains or strings and (or) arcs, with closure. A ring represents a closed
boundary, but not the interior area inside the closed boundary.
SDTS - the Spatial Data Transfer Standard defined by Department of Commerce, 1992, Spatial Data Transfer
Standard (SDTS) (Federal Information Processing Standard 173): Washington, Department of Commerce,
National Institute of Standards and Technology.
search engine - a software tool used to locate and organize information in a computerized database.
spatial data - see geospatial data.
standard - a metadata standard provides a common set of terms and definitions for the documentation of data or
information.
stratum - one of a series of layers, levels, or gradations in an ordered system. For this standard, the term is
used in the sense of (1) a region of sea, atmosphere, or geology that is distinguished by natural or arbitrary
limits; (2) a socioeconomic level of society comprised of persons of the same or similar status, especially with
regard to education or culture; or (3) a layer of vegetation, usually of the same or similar height.
string - a connected nonbranching sequence of line segments specified as the ordered sequence of points
between those line segments. Note: A string may intersect itself or other strings.
tabular data - data that are stored in columns and rows, as in a spreadsheet.
two-dimensional manifold - a planar graph and its associated two dimensional objects. Each chain bounds two
and only two, not necessarily distinct, GT-polygons. The GT-polygons are mutually exclusive and completely
exhaust the surface.
type - in the definition of the elements in the metadata standard, a compound element has the type "compound"
to provide a unique way to identify compound elements. For a data element, the type identifies the kind of
value that can be assigned to the data element. The choices are "integer" for integer numbers, "real" for real
numbers, "text" for ASCII characters, "date" for day of the year, and "time" for time of the day.
universe polygon - defines the part of the universe that is outside the perimeter of the area covered by other GT-
polygons ("covered area") and completes the two-dimensional manifold. This polygon completes the adjacency
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relationships of the perimeter links. The boundary of the universe polygon is represented by one or more inner
rings and no outer ring. Attribution of the universe polygon may not exist, or may be substantially different
from the attribution of the covered area.
URL - Uniform Resource Locator. A unique address for a page of information on the Internet. A URL consists
of four separate parts: the protocol, the domain name, the path, and a filename. A complete URL will usually
look something like - http://www.chesapeakebay.net/bayprogram.
vector - composed of directed lines.
vertical - at right angles to the horizontal; includes altitude and depth.
VPF - the Vector Product Format defined by Department of Defense, 1992, Vector Product Format (MIL-STD-
600006): Philadelphia, Department of Defense, Defense Printing Service Detachment Office.
void polygon - defines a part of the two-dimensional manifold that is bounded by other GT-polygons, but
otherwise has the same characteristics as the universe polygon. The geometry and topology of a void polygon
are those of a GT-polygon. Attribution of a void polygon may not exist, or may be substantially different from
the attribution of the covered area.
voxel - a three-dimensional element that is the smallest nondivisible element of a digital volume.
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