Data Standards
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is using data standards to increase the quality and compatibility of its data. This approach will increase opportunities to share data and reduce incidents of redundant data development. Standards are being developed, reviewed, and adopted according to a formal process. Please review the definitions of terms used in this process.
A helpful document exists detailing the process for establishing data standards.
The FWS Manual Chapter 274 FW2 - Establishing Service Data Standards
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses the following types of standards:
Classification Systems
Name of Standard | Phase (Phase Definitions) |
Data Steward Appointed |
---|---|---|
Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States | FWS Created & Adopted | Yes |
Vegetation Classification | Adopted | No |
Data Elements
Data Layers
Name of Standard | Phase (Phase Definitions) |
Data Steward Appointed |
---|---|---|
Congressional District | Adopted | Yes |
Critical Habitat Spatial Data Specifications | Adopted | Yes |
Digital Orthophoto Quad | Adopted | Yes |
Digital Raster Graphic | Adopted | Yes |
Ecosystem Unit Boundaries | Adopted | Yes |
Habitat Conservation Plan Spatial Data Specifications | Adopted | Yes |
Hydrography (DLG) | Adopted | Yes |
Hydrologic Units | Adopted | Yes |
Hypsography (DLG) | Adopted | Yes |
Political Boundaries (DLG) | Adopted | Yes |
Public Land Survey System; PLSS (DLG) | Adopted | Yes |
Riparian Areas | FWS Created & Adopted | Yes |
Soils | Adopted | Yes |
Transportation (DLG) | Adopted | Yes |
Wetlands | FWS Created & Adopted | Yes |
Procedures
Name of Standard | Phase (Phase Definitions) |
Data Steward Appointed |
---|---|---|
Biological Metadata Standard | Adopted | Yes |
Data Exchange Format for Calendar Date | Adopted | Yes |
Dublin Core Metadata Element Set, Version 1.1 | Adopted | Yes |
Geospatial Data Exchange Format | Adopted | Yes |
Geospatial Metadata Standard | Adopted | Yes |
Minimum Web Map Standards for Internet Map Servers (IMS) Applications | Adopted | Yes |