Example Metadata Record for FWS Biological Data Set

EXAMPLE metadata record for a FWS geospatial data set with all the elements required for full compliance with the FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM), Version 2.0

Metadata elements are described below -- notations on what should be entered in required fields are enclosed in {parentheses}:

"Compound" elements (groups of data elements) in regular font appear as general headings and represent higher-level concepts that cannot be represented by individual data elements. These elements do not require an entry but are needed to run the formal metadata through a compiler to check the syntax against the FGDC CSDGM and generate output suitable for serving on the Internet and viewing with a web browser or text editor.
Mandatory elements are in lower case, bold italic font; these are required elements that must be documented to comply with the CSDGM.

Mandatory if Applicable elements are in lower case, bold regular font; these are required if they are included in a section you are documenting.

Optional elements are in lower case, blue regular font; these elements are not required but can be provided at the data producer's discretion.

Explanatory notes are in regular italics

Identification_Information
Data_Quality_Information
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
Spatial_Reference_Information
Entity_and_Attribute_Information
Distribution_Information
Metadata_Reference_Information

Data Set Name: Substrate Data for the Gulf of Maine (gomsubst83)

1 Identification Information {This section is Mandatory}

1.1 Citation {Who created this data set? The numbering changes as citation information is used in other sections of the documentation.}

8 Citation Information

8.1 Originator: Arnold Banner

8.2 Publication Date: 20000726

8.4 Title: Substrate data for the Gulf of Maine

8.6 Geospatial Data Presentation Form: Raster digital data

8.8 Publication Information

8.8.1 Publication Place: Falmouth, ME
8.8.2 Publisher: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Gulf of Maine Program
8.9 Other Citation Details: The Gulf of Maine Habitat Mapping Project used occurrence information and species/habitat models to map potential habitat for 91 species of primary concern to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These include migratory birds, anadromous and estuarine fishes, and threatened or endangered species. The habitat models are based on published literature. agency reports, and knowledge of experts working with the species. Environmental data sets, such as substrate, were used in identifying suitable habitats for certain species. For details, see the narrative <http://www.fws.gov/r5gomp/gom/habitatstudy/metadata/sediment_information.htm>
8.10 Online Linkage: <http://www.fws.gov/r5gomp/gom/habitatstudy/metadata/gom_gis_data_table.htm>

1.2 Description

1.2.1 Abstract: {Background information about the data set.}: Several sources of digital information were combined to map intertidal and subtidal benthic features such as rock, gravel, sand, and mud sediments throughout the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Maine.
1.2.2 Purpose: {Why did you want the data in the first place?}: Substrate forms the structure to which invertebrates may attach, or into which they may burrow, and which can offer cover or spawning habitat for a number of fish species.

1.3 Time Period {Time frame of the data set; choose only one.}

9 Time Period Information

9.1 Single Date/Time

9.1.1 Calendar Date:

9.2 Multiple dates/Times

9.2.1 Calendar Date:
9.2.1 Calendar Date:

9.3 Range of Dates/Times

9.3.1 Beginning Date: 2000
9.3.2 Ending Date: 2000

1.3.1 Currentness Reference: {Publication or creation date of sources such as aerial photography} ground condition

1.4 Status

1.4.1 Progress: {Is it done or not? In progress?} Complete
1.4.2 Maintenance and Update Frequency: {How frequently, if at all?} None planned

1.5 Spatial Domain

1.5.1 Bounding Coordinates {Latitude/longitude coverage limits; important for Internet data sharing.}

1.5.1.1 West Bounding Coordinate: -72.3892
1.5.1.2 East Bounding Coordinate: -66.8317
1.5.1.3 North Bounding Coordinate: 47.4396
1.5.1.4 South Bounding Coordinate: 41.6446

1.6 Keywords {Keywords of any type are used for locating data when it is documented in a searchable database. The theme and place keywords will probably be the mostly commonly used for FWS data. As with any use of keywords, thought should be given to assigning words the users may search on, or words you will remember in 5 years! Multiple keywords are allowed.}

1.6.1 Theme

1.6.1.1 Theme Keyword Thesaurus: None
1.6.1.2 Theme Keyword: habitat
1.6.1.2 Theme Keyword: model
1.6.1.2 Theme Keyword: sediments
1.6.1.2 Theme Keyword: substrate

1.6.2 Place

1.6.2.1 Place Keyword Thesaurus: None
1.6.2.2 Place Keyword: Maine
1.6.2.2 Place Keyword: ME
1.6.2.2 Place Keyword: Massachusetts
1.6.2.2 Place Keyword: MA
1.6.2.2 Place Keyword: New Hampshire
1.6.2.2 Place Keyword: NH
1.6.2.2 Place Keyword: Gulf of Maine
1.6.2.2 Place Keyword: GOM

1.7 Access Constraints: {Are there legal restrictions or prerequisites for access? One example might be the need to protect the exact location of threatened or endangered species.} None

1.8 Use Constraints: {Legal restrictions, limits due to data quality, etc.}
There are no restrictions on the use of this data. However, secondary distribution must be accompanied by this documentation. Credit should always be given to the data source when this data is transferred or printed.

1.9 Point of Contact (Section 10 - Contact Information) {Who can provide the data? Contact information is provided elsewhere (i.e., sections 6 and 7) in the documentation, but should be entered here if the contact is a different person or organization.}

10 Contact Information

1.10 Browse Graphic {Some of the most useful documentation incorporates a picture of what the data looks like. A browse graphic is an illustration. If you use this section, complete all three elements below - can be repeated unlimited times.}

1.10.1 Browse Graphic File Name: NA
1.10.2 Browse Graphic File Description: NA
1.10.3 Browse Graphic File Type: NA

1.13 Native Data Set Environment: {This element describes the data set in the producer's processing environment, including the name of the software (and version), computer operating system, file name (host-path-filenames), and size of the data set; Kb, MB, etc.}

Microsoft Windows 2000 Version 5.0 (Build 2195) Service Pack 3; ESRI ArcCatalog 8.3.0.800

2 Data Quality Information {This section is Mandatory if Applicable}

{Just how good is the data? Provide an accurate and concise description of attributes, the actual lines or topology, the geographic registration, and the original hard copy data that was automated. NOTE: The report is more descriptive, the assessment more specific or measurable. Your choice will depend on the type and quality of the data. Generally, it will not be necessary to do both.}

2.1 Attribute Accuracy

2.1.1 Attribute Accuracy Report:: The accuracy of the attributes is determined by the quality of the data sets used, which may have errors in characterizing substrate types.

2.2 Logical Consistency Report: {How well does everything line up? How was it checked? Provide a general description.}

This raster data set is based on highly generalized information, gathered at widely scattered locations.

2.3 Completeness Report: {How complete is the cover, i.e., the entire state, county, etc.? Were portions left out? Size of items mapped?}

The coverage may omit useful habitat or erroneously identify habitat because of limitations of the source data.

2.4 Positional Accuracy {Horizontal positional accuracy is tested by visual comparison of the data with hard copy maps and on-screen with existing data sets that cover the same area. How accurate is the data in feet or meters? NOTE: Horizontal will be more common than vertical; enter NA if not applicable or needed.}

2.4.1 Horizontal Positional Accuracy

2.4.1.1 Horizontal Positional Accuracy Report:: Data set accuracy may correspond to that of the 1:24,000 base data used to align the raster data. Warping of the data sets was used to reduce maximum error to approximately 1 cell (30 m)

2.5 Lineage

2.5.1 Source Information

2.5.1.1 Source Citation

8 Citation Information

8.1 Originator: Robert G. Marvinney, Ph.D.

8.2 Publication Date: 19971024

8.4 Title: Surficial Geology of the Maine Inner Continental Shelf

8.6 Geospatial Data Presentation Form: map 8.8 Publication Information

8.8.1 Publication Place: Augusta, ME
8.8.2 Publisher: Maine Geological Survey

8.9 Other Citation Details: Phone (207) 287-2804, FAX (207) 287-2353 email: Robert.G.Marvinney@state.me.us

8.11. Larger Work Citation

8 Citation Information

8.1 Originator: Barnhardt, W.A., D.F. Belknap, A.R. Kelley, J.T. Kelley, and S.M. Dickson

8.2 Publication Date: 1996

8.4 Title: Surficial Geology of the Maine Inner Continental Shelf

8.6 Geospatial Data Presentation Form: Species habitat maps

8.8 Publication Information

8.8.1 Publication Place: Augusta, ME
8.8.2 Publisher: Maine Geological Survey

2.5.1.2 Source Scale Denominator: 100000

2.5.1.3 Type of Source Media: Digital

2.5.1.4 Source Time Period of Content {Choose only one}

9 Time Period Information

9.1 Single Date/Time

9.1.1 Calendar Date:

9.2 Multiple dates/Times

9.2.1 Calendar Date:
9.2.1 Calendar Date:

9.3 Range of Dates/Times

9.3.1 Beginning Date: Unknown
9.3.2 Ending Date: Unknown

2.5.1.4.1 Source Currentness Reference: publication place

2.5.1.5 Source Citation Abbreviation: Not available

2.5.1.6 Source Contribution: used to identify substrates for Maine coastal waters

2.5.1 Source Information

2.5.1.1 Source Citation

8 Citation Information

8.1 Originator: Poppe, L.J., Schlee, J.S., Butman, B., and Lane, C.M.
8.2 Publication Date: 1989
8.4 Title: Map showing distribution of surficial sediment, Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank, Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map, I-1986-A, 1 sheet.
8.6 Geospatial Data Presentation Form: CD-ROM
8.8 Publication Information
8.8.1 Publication Place: USA
8.8.2 Publisher: USGS
8.9 Other Citation Details: A Marine GIS Library for Massachusetts Bay: Focusing on Disposal Sites, Contaminated Sediments, and Sea Floor Mapping, U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-439

2.5.1.2 Source Scale Denominator: 100000

2.5.1.3 Type of Source Media: Digital

2.5.1.4 Source Time Period of Content {Choose only one}

9 Time Period Information

9.1 Single Date/Time

9.1.1 Calendar Date:

9.2 Multiple dates/Times

9.2.1 Calendar Date:
9.2.1 Calendar Date:

9.3 Range of Dates/Times

9.3.1 Beginning Date: Unknown
9.3.2 Ending Date: Unknown

2.5.1.4.1 Source Currentness Reference: publication date

2.5.1.5 Source Citation Abbreviation: Not available

2.5.1.6 Source Contribution: used to identify substrates for Maine coastal waters

2.5.1 Source Information

2.5.1.1 Source Citation

8 Citation Information

8.1 Originator: Knebel, H.J. and Circe, R.C.

8.2 Publication Date: 1995

8.4 Title: Sedimentary Environments Map

8.6 Geospatial Data Presentation Form: map

8.8 Publication Information

8.8.1 Publication Place: USA
8.8.2 Publisher: USGS,Woods Hole

8.9 Other Citation Details: see hknebel@usgs.gov

8.11. Larger Work Citation

8 Citation Information

8.1 Originator: Sea floor environments within the Boston Harbor Massachusetts Bay sedimentary system: A regional synthesis: Journal of Coastal Research, v. 11, p. 230-251.

8.2 Publication Date: Unknown

8.4 Title: A Marine GIS Library for Massachusetts Bay: Focusing on Disposal Sites, Contaminated Sediments, and Sea Floor Mapping, U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-439

8.6 Geospatial Data Presentation Form: Species habitat maps

8.8 Publication Information

8.8.1 Publication Place: USA
8.8.2 Publisher: USGS

2.5.1.2 Source Scale Denominator: 24000

2.5.1.3 Type of Source Media: CD-ROM

2.5.1.4 Source Time Period of Content {Choose only one}

9 Time Period Information

9.1 Single Date/Time

9.1.1 Calendar Date:

9.2 Multiple dates/Times

9.2.1 Calendar Date:
9.2.1 Calendar Date:

9.3 Range of Dates/Times

9.3.1 Beginning Date: Unknown
9.3.2 Ending Date: Unknown

2.5.1.4.1 Source Currentness Reference: publication date

2.5.1.5 Source Citation Abbreviation: Not available

2.5.1.6 Source Contribution: Finer resolution information on sedimentary structure of Massachusetts Bay

2.5.1 Source Information

2.5.1.1 Source Citation

8 Citation Information

8.1 Originator: USFWS; Maine Geological Survey; Massachusetts Office of GIS

8.2 Publication Date: Unknown

8.4 Title:

8.6 Geospatial Data Presentation Form: map

8.8 Publication Information

8.8.1 Publication Place: USA
8.8.2 Publisher: USFWS; Maine Geological Survey; Massachusetts Office of GIS

8.9 Online Linkage:

<http://www.state.me.us/doc/nrimc/pubedinf/pubedinf.htm>; <http://www.nwi.fws.gov/>; <http://apollo.ogis.state.me.us/>

2.5.1.2 Source Scale Denominator: 24000

2.5.1.3 Type of Source Media: Digital

2.5.1.4 Source Time Period of Content {Choose only one}

9 Time Period Information

9.1 Single Date/Time

9.1.1 Calendar Date:

9.2 Multiple dates/Times

9.2.1 Calendar Date:
9.2.1 Calendar Date:

9.3 Range of Dates/Times

9.3.1 Beginning Date: Unknown
9.3.2 Ending Date: Unknown

2.5.1.4.1 Source Currentness Reference: publication date

2.5.1.5 Source Citation Abbreviation: gomsubst83

2.5.1.6 Source Contribution: identification of intertidal substrate types

2.5.2 Process Step

2.5.2.1 Process Description: {How was the data entered? Digitized? Scanned? Describe the general steps or process.}

The data was re-coded to correspond to classes of the USGS surficial geology coverage. More detailed inshore features from photo-interpreted information and previous analyses were overlaid to improve resolution and accuracy. For details see the narrative: <http://www.fws.gov/r5gomp/gom/habitatstudy/metadata/sediment_information.htm>

2.5.2.2 Source Used Citation Abbreviation: None

2.5.2.3 Process Date: 2000

2.5.2.2 Source Produced Citation Abbreviation: None
2.5.2.6 Process Contact

10 Contact Information

10.2 Contact Organization Primary: {or may be 10.1 Contact Person Primary, 10.1.1 Contact Person and 10.1.2 Contact Organization - your choice. If this information is the same as the contact information in Section 7.4, you can just reference that section here.}; 10.2.1 Contact Organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Gulf of Maine Coastal Program
10.4 Contact Address: 10.4.1 Address Type: Mailing and physical address

10.4.2 Address: 4R Fundy Rd.

10.4.3 City: Falmouth

10.4.4 State or Province: Maine

10.4.5 Postal Code: 04105
10.4.6 Country: USA
10.5 Contact Voice Telephone: 207-781-8364
10.7 Contact Facsimile Telephone: 207-781-8369
10.8 Contact Electronic Mail Address: FW5ES_GOMP.GIS@fws.gov 10.9 Hours of Service: 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time US

3 Spatial Data Organization Information {This section is Mandatory if Applicable}

{What kind of data is it? Raster, point, vector map inches? Depending on the answer, other information may be needed. Choose 3.1 OR 3.2. If you want more detail, choose 3.3 OR 3.4, and enter the related items.}

3.1 Indirect Spatial Reference:

3.2 Direct Spatial Reference Method: Raster

3.3 Point and Vector Object Information

3.3.1 SDTS Terms Description

3.3.1.1 Point and Vector Object Type:

3.3.2 VPF Terms Description

3.3.2.1 VPF Topology Level:
3.3.2.2 VPF Point and Vector Type:

3.4 Raster Object Information

3.4.1 Raster Object Type: Grid cell
3.4.2 Row Count: 21381
3.4.3 Column Count: 13972

4 Spatial Reference Information {This section is Mandatory if Applicable}

{Is it Lat/Long (i.e., Geographic), or some other type of coordinate system, such as UTM? The answer to this question will dictate the information you need to provide on map projections, grids, etc. It may even be in table inches (section 4.1.3, Local).}

4.1 Horizontal Coordinate System Definition {Choose 4.1.1 OR 4.1.2 OR 4.1.3}

4.1.1 Geographic

4.1.1.1 Latitude Resolution:
4.1.1.2 Longitude Resolution:
4.1.1.3 Geographic Coordinate Values:

4.1.2 Planar {Choose 4.1.2.1 OR 4.1.2.2 OR 4.1.2.3}

4.1.2.1 Map Projection

4.1.2.1.1 Map Projection Name:

4.1.2.2 Grid Coordinate System

4.1.2.2.1 Grid Coordinate System Name: Universal Transverse Mercator

4.1.2.2.2.1 UTM Zone Number: 19

TRANSVERSE MERCATOR

Scale Factor at Central Meridian: 0.999600
Longitude of Central Meridian: -69.000000
Latitude of Projection Origin: 0.000000
False Easting: 500000.000000
False Northing: 0.000000

4.1.2.3 Local Planar

4.1.2.3.1 Local Planar Description:
4.1.2.3.2 Local Planar Georeference Information:

4.1.2.4 Planar Coordinate Information

4.1.2.4.1 Planar Coordinate Encoding Method: Row and column

4.1.2.4.2 Coordinate Representation {OR choose 4.1.2.4.3}

4.1.2.4.2.1 Abscissa Resolution: 30
4.1.2.4.2.1 Ordinate Resolution: 30

4.1.2.4.3 Distance and Bearing Representation

4.1.2.4.4 Planar Distance Units: Meters

4.1.3 Local

4.1.3.1 Local Description:
4.1.3.2 Local Georeference Information:

4.1.4 Geodetic Model

4.1.4.1 Horizontal Datum Name: North American Datum of 1983
4.1.4.2 Ellipsoid Name: GRS 80
4.1.4.3 Semi-Major Axis: 6378137
4.1.4.4 Denominator of Flattening Ratio: 298.257222

5 Entity and Attribute Information {This section is Mandatory if Applicable}

{An office may certainly choose to use section 5.1, which gives very detailed attribute information, much like database documentation. This includes values for the attributes such as the NWI codes. Section 5.2 will give a more general description of the items, or reference users to other documentation. You can use BOTH 5.1 and 5.2, OR choose either one - Detailed Description and Attribute can be repeated unlimited times.}

5.1 Detailed Description

5.1.1 Entity Type

5.1.1.1 Entity Type Label: gomsubst83
5.1.1.2 Entity Type Definition: GRID Value Attribute Table
5.1.1.3 Entity Type Definition Source: None

5.1.2 Attribute

5.1.2.1 Attribute Label: Value
5.1.2.2 Attribute Definition: feature number
5.1.2.3 Attribute Definition Source: Automatically generated 5.1.2.4 Attribute Domain Values 5.1.2.4.4 Unrepresentable Domain: Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

5.1.2 Attribute

5.1.2.1 Attribute Label: Count
5.1.2.2 Attribute Definition: Count for each value
5.1.2.3 Attribute Definition Source: Automatically generated 5.1.2.4 Attribute Domain Values 5.1.2.4.4 Unrepresentable Domain: Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

5.1.2 Attribute

5.1.2.1 Attribute Label: Object ID
5.1.2.2 Attribute Definition: Object identification
5.1.2.3 Attribute Definition Source: Automatically generated 5.1.2.4 Attribute Domain Values 5.1.2.4.4 Unrepresentable Domain: Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

5.1.2 Attribute

5.1.2.1 Attribute Label: Code

5.1.2.2 Attribute Definition: substrate codes

5.1.2.3 Attribute Definition Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Gulf of Maine Program 5.1.2.4 Attribute Domain Values

5.1.2.4.1 Enumerated Domain:

5.1.2.4.2.1 Enumerated Domain Value Definition: 0
5.1.2.4.2.2 Enumerated Domain Value Definition: substrate type 5.1.2.4.2.3 Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Gulf of Maine Program

5.1.2.4.1 Enumerated Domain:

5.1.2.4.2.1 Enumerated Domain Value Definition: 5
5.1.2.4.2.1 Enumerated Domain Value Definition: substrate type 5.1.2.4.2.3 Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Gulf of Maine Program

5.1.2 Attribute

5.1.2.1 Attribute Label: descriptive

5.1.2.2 Attribute Definition: substrate classes

5.1.2.3 Attribute Definition Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Gulf of Maine Program 5.1.2.4 Attribute Domain Values