Basic information about the data set Information to be used to reference the data set. A characterization of the data set, including its intended use and limitations. A brief narrative summary of the data set. A summary of the intentions with which the data set was developed. Other descriptive information about the data set. Time period(s) for which the data set corresponds to the currentness reference. The basis on which the time period of content information is determined. The state of and maintenance information for the data set. The state of the data set. The frequency with which changes and additions are made to the data set after the initial data set is completed. The geographic areal domain of the data set. Short description of the geographic areal domain of the data set. Examples include, 'Manistee River watershed' or 'extent of 7.5 minute quads containing any property belonging to Yellowstone National Park'. This is especially important when the extent of the data set is not well described by the 'Bounding Rectangle Coordinates'. The limits of coverage of a data set expressed by altitude. The minimum altitude extent of coverage. The maximum elevation extent of coverage. The limits of coverage of a data set expressed by latitude and longitude values in the order western-most, eastern-most, northern-most, and southern-most. For data sets that include a complete band of latitude around the earth, the West Bounding Coordinate shall be assigned the value -180.0, and the East Bounding Coordinate shall be assigned the value 180.0. Western-most coordinate of the limit of coverage expressed in longitude. Eastern-most coordinate of the limit of coverage expressed in longitude. Northern-most coordinate of the limit of coverage expressed in latitude. Southern-most coordinate of the limit of coverage expressed in latitude. Coordinates defining the outline of an area covered by a data set. The closed nonintersecting boundary of an interior area. A single geographic location. The latitude of a point of the G-ring. The longitude of a point of the G-ring. A set of ordered pairs of floating-point numbers, separated by commas, in which the first number in each pair is the longitude of a point and the second is the latitude of the point. Longitude and latitude are specified in decimal degrees with north latitudes positive and south negative, east longitude positive and west negative. The closed nonintersecting boundary of a void area (or 'hole' in an interior area). Words or phrases summarizing an aspect of the data set. Subjects covered by the data set (for a list of some commonly-used thesauri, see 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). Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of theme keywords. Common-use word or phrase used to describe the subject of the data set. Geographic locations characterized by the data set. Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of place keywords. The geographic name of a location covered by a data set. Layered, vertical locations characterized by the data set. Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of stratum keywords. The name of a vertical location used to describe the locations covered by a data set. Time period(s) characterized by the data set. Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of temporal keywords. The name of a time period covered by a data set. Information on the taxa (1 or more) included in the data set, including keywords, taxonomic system and coverage information, and taxonomic classification system. Taxonomic ranks or common groups characterized by the data set. Documentation of taxonomic sources, procedures, and treatments. Information about the classification system or authority used. A citation for the classification system or authority used, this might include monographs (e.g. a regional flora) or on-line data sets (e.g. the USDA PLANTS database), etc. A description of any modifications or exceptions made to the classification or authority used. Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or similar authoritative source of taxonomic keywords. Common-use words or phrases describing the taxonomy covered by the data set. Information on any non-authoritative materials (e.g.field guides) useful for reconstructing the actual identification process. Information about the individual(s) responsible for the identification(s) of the specimens or sightings, etc. Description of the methods used for the taxonomic identification. Could include specimen processing, comparison with museum materials, keys and key characters, chemical or genetic analysis, etc. Information concerning the proportions and treatment of unidentified materials (i.e. materials sent to experts, and not yet determined); estimates of the importance, and identities of misidentifications, uncertain determinations, synonyms or other incorrect usages; taxa not well treated or requiring further work; and expertise of field workers. Information on the types of specimen, the repository, and the individuals who identified the vouchers. A word or phrase describing the type of specimen collected (e.g. herbarium specimens, blood samples, photographs, individuals, or batches). Information about the curator or contact person and/or agency responsible for the specimens. A description of the range of taxa addressed in the data set or collection. For example,\'all vascular plants were identified to family or species, mosses and lichens were identified as moss or lichen. Information about the range of taxa addressed in the data set or collection. It is recommended that one provide information starting from the taxonomic rank of kingdom, to a level which reflects the data set or collection being documented. The name of the taxonomic rank for which the Taxon Rank Value is provided. The name representing the taxonomic rank of the taxon being described. Specification of applicable common names. These common names may be general descriptions of a group of organisms if appropriate (e.g. insects, vertebrate, grasses, waterfowl, vascular plants, etc.) Restrictions and legal prerequisites for accessing the data set. These include any access constraints applied to assure the protection of privacy or intellectual property, and any special restrictions or limitations on obtaining the data set. Restrictions and legal prerequisites for using the data set 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 data set. Contact information for an individual or organization that is knowledgeable about the data set. A graphic that provides an illustration of the data set. The graphic should include a legend for interpreting the graphic. Name of a related graphic file that provides an illustration of the data set. A text description of the illustration. Graphic file type of a related graphic file. Recognition of those who contributed to the data set. Handling restrictions imposed on the data set because of national security, privacy, or other concerns Name of the classification system. Name of the handling restrictions on the data set. Additional information about the restrictions on handling the data set. A description of the data set in the producer's processing environment, including items such as: name of the software (including version), computer operating system, file name (including host-, path-, and filenames), data set size. Information about other, related data sets that are likely to be of interest. Tools, models, or statistical procedures that the data set is intrinsically bound to and are available for use in analyzing the data set. Enough information should be included such that a potential data user can easily determine why they might wish to acquire the analytical tool, and the methodology to acquire it. Description of the analytical tool, model, or statistical procedure. Information on the steps required to access the tool. Instructions on the steps required to access the tool, model, or statistical procedure. The brand of computer and its operating system that the tool, model, or statistical procedure requires. The party from whom the tool, model, or statistical procedure may be obtained. Citation information about the tool, model, or statistical procedure.