Darwin Core Quick Reference Guide

Darwin Core Quick Reference Guide

This document is intended to be an easy-to-read reference of the currently (as of 2023-09-18) recommended terms maintained as part of the Darwin Core standard and is maintained by the Darwin Core Maintenance Group.

Need help? Read more about how to use Darwin Core in the Darwin Core Questions & Answers site. Still have questions? Submit a new issue (question/problem) to the dwc-qa issues page in GitHub, or use the form. See the bottom of this document for how to cite Darwin Core.”

Want to contribute? For information about how to contribute to the Darwin Core Standard, including how to propose changes, see the Guidelines for contributing.

This page is not part of the standard, but combines the normative term names and definitions with the non-normative comments and examples that are meant to help people to use the terms consistently. Definitions, comments, and examples may include namespace abbreviations (e.g., “dwc:”). These are included to show that the meaning for the word it is attached to very specifically means the term as defined in that namespace. Thus, dwc:Event means Event as defined by Darwin Core at https://dwc.tdwg.org/terms/#event. Capitalized terms that follow a namespace abbreviation, such as dwc:Occurrence, are Darwin Core class terms, which are a special category of terms used to group sets of property terms (terms that being with lower case names that follow the namespace abbreviation, e.g., dwc:eventID) for convenience. Comprehensive metadata for current and obsolete terms in human readable form are found in the document List of Darwin Core terms.

Additional files with just the current term names and a file with the full term history can be found in the Darwin Core repository.

Record-level

This category contains terms that are generic in that they might apply to any type of record in a dataset.

type
Identifierhttp://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/type
DefinitionThe nature or genre of the resource.
CommentsMust be populated with a value from the DCMI type vocabulary (http://dublincore.org/documents/2010/10/11/dcmi-type-vocabulary/).
Examples
  • StillImage
  • MovingImage
  • Sound
  • PhysicalObject
  • Event
  • Text
modified
Identifierhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/modified
DefinitionThe most recent date-time on which the resource was changed.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples
  • 1963-03-08T14:07-0600 (8 Mar 1963 at 2:07pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC)
  • 2009-02-20T08:40Z (20 February 2009 8:40am UTC)
  • 2018-08-29T15:19 (3:19pm local time on 29 August 2018)
  • 1809-02-12 (some time during 12 February 1809)
  • 1906-06 (some time in June 1906)
  • 1971 (some time in the year 1971)
  • 2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z (some time during the interval between 1 March 2007 1pm UTC and 11 May 2008 3:30pm UTC)
  • 1900/1909 (some time during the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and the end of the year 1909)
  • 2007-11-13/15 (some time in the interval between 13 November 2007 and 15 November 2007)
language
Identifierhttp://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/language
DefinitionA language of the resource.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as RFC 5646.
Examples
  • en (for English)
  • es (for Spanish)
license
Identifierhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/license
DefinitionA legal document giving official permission to do something with the resource.
Comments
Examples
rightsHolder
Identifierhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/rightsHolder
DefinitionA person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource.
Comments
ExamplesThe Regents of the University of California
accessRights
Identifierhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/accessRights
DefinitionInformation about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status.
CommentsAccess Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies.
Examples
bibliographicCitation
Identifierhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/bibliographicCitation
DefinitionA bibliographic reference for the resource.
CommentsFrom Dublin Core, "Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible." The intended usage of this term in Darwin Core is to provide the preferred way to cite the resource itself - "how to cite this record". Note that the intended usage of dcterms:references in Darwin Core, by contrast, is to point to the definitive source representation of the resource - "where to find the as-close-to-original reference, if one is available.
Examples
references
Identifierhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/references
DefinitionA related resource that is referenced, cited, or otherwise pointed to by the described resource.
CommentsFrom Dublin Core, "This property is intended to be used with non-literal values. This property is an inverse property of Is Referenced By." The intended usage of this term in Darwin Core is to point to the definitive source representation of the resource (e.g.,Taxon, Occurrence, Event in Darwin Core), if one is available. Note that the intended usage of dcterms:bibliographicCitation in Darwin Core, by contrast, is to provide the preferred way to cite the resource itself.
Examples
institutionID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/institutionID
DefinitionAn identifier for the institution having custody of the object(s) or information referred to in the record.
CommentsFor physical specimens, the recommended best practice is to use a globally unique and resolvable identifier from a collections registry such as the Research Organization Registry (ROR) or the Global Registry of Scientific Collections (https://www.gbif.org/grscicoll).
Examples
collectionID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/collectionID
DefinitionAn identifier for the collection or dataset from which the record was derived.
CommentsFor physical specimens, the recommended best practice is to use a globally unique and resolvable identifier from a collections registry such as the Global Registry of Scientific Collections (https://www.gbif.org/grscicoll).
Exampleshttps://www.gbif.org/grscicoll/collection/fbd3ed74-5a21-4e01-b86a-33d36f032d9c
datasetID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/datasetID
DefinitionAn identifier for the set of data. May be a global unique identifier or an identifier specific to a collection or institution.
Comments
Examplesb15d4952-7d20-46f1-8a3e-556a512b04c5
institutionCode
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/institutionCode
DefinitionThe name (or acronym) in use by the institution having custody of the object(s) or information referred to in the record.
Comments
Examples
  • MVZ
  • FMNH
  • CLO
  • UCMP
collectionCode
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/collectionCode
DefinitionThe name, acronym, coden, or initialism identifying the collection or data set from which the record was derived.
Comments
Examples
  • Mammals
  • Hildebrandt
  • EBIRD
  • VP
datasetName
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/datasetName
DefinitionThe name identifying the data set from which the record was derived.
Comments
Examples
  • Grinnell Resurvey Mammals
  • Lacey Ctenomys Recaptures
ownerInstitutionCode
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/ownerInstitutionCode
DefinitionThe name (or acronym) in use by the institution having ownership of the object(s) or information referred to in the record.
Comments
Examples
  • NPS
  • APN
  • InBio
basisOfRecord
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/basisOfRecord
DefinitionThe specific nature of the data record.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the set of local names of the identifiers for classes in Darwin Core.
Examples
  • MaterialEntity
  • PreservedSpecimen
  • FossilSpecimen
  • LivingSpecimen
  • MaterialSample
  • Event
  • HumanObservation
  • MachineObservation
  • Taxon
  • Occurrence
  • MaterialCitation
informationWithheld
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/informationWithheld
DefinitionAdditional information that exists, but that has not been shared in the given record.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • location information not given for endangered species
  • collector identities withheld | ask about tissue samples
dataGeneralizations
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/dataGeneralizations
DefinitionActions taken to make the shared data less specific or complete than in its original form. Suggests that alternative data of higher quality may be available on request.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
ExamplesCoordinates generalized from original GPS coordinates to the nearest half degree grid cell.
dynamicProperties
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/dynamicProperties
DefinitionA list of additional measurements, facts, characteristics, or assertions about the record. Meant to provide a mechanism for structured content.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a key:value encoding schema for a data interchange format such as JSON.
Examples
  • {"heightInMeters":1.5}
  • {"targusLengthInMeters":0.014, "weightInGrams":120}
  • {"natureOfID":"expert identification", "identificationEvidence":"cytochrome B sequence"}
  • {"relativeHumidity":28, "airTemperatureInCelsius":22, "sampleSizeInKilograms":10}
  • {"aspectHeading":277, "slopeInDegrees":6}
  • {"iucnStatus":"vulnerable", "taxonDistribution":"Neuquén, Argentina"}

Occurrence

Occurrence Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Occurrence
DefinitionAn existence of a dwc:Organism at a particular place at a particular time.
Comments
Examples
  • a wolf pack on the shore of Kluane Lake in 1988
  • a virus in a plant leaf in the New York Botanical Garden at 15:29 on 2014-10-23
  • a fungus in Central Park in the summer of 1929
occurrenceID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/occurrenceID
DefinitionAn identifier for the dwc:Occurrence (as opposed to a particular digital record of the dwc:Occurrence). In the absence of a persistent global unique identifier, construct one from a combination of identifiers in the record that will most closely make the dwc:occurrenceID globally unique.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a persistent, globally unique identifier.
Examples
catalogNumber
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/catalogNumber
DefinitionAn identifier (preferably unique) for the record within the data set or collection.
Comments
Examples
  • 145732
  • 145732a
  • 2008.1334
  • R-4313
recordNumber
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/recordNumber
DefinitionAn identifier given to the dwc:Occurrence at the time it was recorded. Often serves as a link between field notes and a dwc:Occurrence record, such as a specimen collector's number.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
ExamplesOPP 7101
recordedBy
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/recordedBy
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of names of people, groups, or organizations responsible for recording the original dwc:Occurrence. The primary collector or observer, especially one who applies a personal identifier (dwc:recordNumber), should be listed first.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ). This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • José E. Crespo
  • Oliver P. Pearson | Anita K. Pearson (where the value in recordNumber OPP 7101 corresponds to the collector number for the specimen in the field catalog of Oliver P. Pearson)
recordedByID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/recordedByID
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of the globally unique identifier for the person, people, groups, or organizations responsible for recording the original dwc:Occurrence.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to provide a single identifier that disambiguates the details of the identifying agent. If a list is used, it is recommended to separate the values in the list with space vertical bar space ( | ). The order of the identifiers on any list for this term can not be guaranteed to convey any semantics.
Examples
individualCount
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/individualCount
DefinitionThe number of individuals present at the time of the dwc:Occurrence.
Comments
Examples
  • 0
  • 1
  • 25
organismQuantity
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismQuantity
DefinitionA number or enumeration value for the quantity of dwc:Organisms.
CommentsA dwc:organismQuantity must have a corresponding dwc:organismQuantityType.
Examples
  • 27 (organismQuantity) with individuals (organismQuantityType)
  • 12.5 (organismQuantity) with % biomass (organismQuantityType)
  • r (organismQuantity) with Braun-Blanquet Scale (organismQuantityType)
  • many (organismQuantity) with individuals (organismQuantityType)
organismQuantityType
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismQuantityType
DefinitionThe type of quantification system used for the quantity of dwc:Organisms.
CommentsA dwc:organismQuantityType must have a corresponding dwc:organismQuantity. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • 27 (organismQuantity) with individuals (organismQuantityType)
  • 12.5 (organismQuantity) with % biomass (organismQuantityType)
  • r (organismQuantity) with Braun-Blanquet Scale (organismQuantityType)
  • many (organismQuantity) with individuals (organismQuantityType)
sex
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/sex
DefinitionThe sex of the biological individual(s) represented in the dwc:Occurrence.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • female
  • male
  • hermaphrodite
lifeStage
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/lifeStage
DefinitionThe age class or life stage of the dwc:Organism(s) at the time the dwc:Occurrence was recorded.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • zygote
  • larva
  • juvenile
  • adult
  • seedling
  • flowering
  • fruiting
reproductiveCondition
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/reproductiveCondition
DefinitionThe reproductive condition of the biological individual(s) represented in the dwc:Occurrence.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • non-reproductive
  • pregnant
  • in bloom
  • fruit-bearing
caste
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/caste
DefinitionCategorisation of individuals for eusocial species (including some mammals and arthropods).
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary that aligns best with the dwc:Taxon. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • queen
  • male alate
  • intercaste
  • minor worker
  • soldier
  • ergatoid
behavior
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/behavior
DefinitionThe behavior shown by the subject at the time the dwc:Occurrence was recorded.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • roosting
  • foraging
  • running
vitality
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/vitality
DefinitionAn indication of whether a dwc:Organism was alive or dead at the time of collection or observation.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Intended to be used with records having a dwc:basisOfRecord of PreservedSpecimen, MaterialEntity, MaterialSample, or HumanObservation. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • alive
  • dead
  • mixedLot
  • uncertain
  • notAssessed
establishmentMeans
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/establishmentMeans
DefinitionStatement about whether a dwc:Organism has been introduced to a given place and time through the direct or indirect activity of modern humans.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use controlled value strings from the controlled vocabulary designated for use with this term, listed at http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/doc/em/. For details, refer to https://doi.org/10.3897/biss.3.38084. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • native
  • nativeReintroduced
  • introduced
  • introducedAssistedColonisation
  • vagrant
  • uncertain
degreeOfEstablishment
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/degreeOfEstablishment
DefinitionThe degree to which a dwc:Organism survives, reproduces, and expands its range at the given place and time.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use controlled value strings from the controlled vocabulary designated for use with this term, listed at http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/doc/doe/. For details, refer to https://doi.org/10.3897/biss.3.38084. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • native
  • captive
  • cultivated
  • released
  • failing
  • casual
  • reproducing
  • established
  • colonising
  • invasive
  • widespreadInvasive
pathway
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/pathway
DefinitionThe process by which a dwc:Organism came to be in a given place at a given time.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use controlled value strings from the controlled vocabulary designated for use with this term, listed at http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/doc/pw/. For details, refer to https://doi.org/10.3897/biss.3.38084. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • releasedForUse
  • otherEscape
  • transportContaminant
  • transportStowaway
  • corridor
  • unaided
georeferenceVerificationStatus
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferenceVerificationStatus
DefinitionA categorical description of the extent to which the georeference has been verified to represent the best possible spatial description for the dcterms:Location of the dwc:Occurrence.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • unable to georeference
  • requires georeference
  • requires verification
  • verified by data custodian
  • verified by contributor
occurrenceStatus
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/occurrenceStatus
DefinitionA statement about the presence or absence of a dwc:Taxon at a dcterms:Location.
CommentsFor dwc:Occurrences, the default vocabulary is recommended to consist of present and absent, but can be extended by implementers with good justification. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • present
  • absent
associatedMedia
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/associatedMedia
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of identifiers (publication, global unique identifier, URI) of media associated with the dwc:Occurrence.
Comments
Exampleshttps://arctos.database.museum/media/10520962 | https://arctos.database.museum/media/10520964
associatedOccurrences
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/associatedOccurrences
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of identifiers of other dwc:Occurrence records and their associations to this dwc:Occurrence.
CommentsThis term can be used to provide a list of associations to other dwc:Occurrences. Note that the dwc:ResourceRelationship class is an alternative means of representing associations, and with more detail. Recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ).
Examples
associatedReferences
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/associatedReferences
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of identifiers (publication, bibliographic reference, global unique identifier, URI) of literature associated with the dwc:Occurrence.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ). Note that the dwc:ResourceRelationship class is an alternative means of representing associations, and with more detail. Note also that the intended usage of the term dcterms:references in Darwin Core when applied to a dwc:Occurrence is to point to the definitive source representation of that dwc:Occurrence if one is available. Note also that the intended usage of dcterms:bibliographicCitation in Darwin Core when applied to a dwc:Occurrence is to provide the preferred way to cite the dwc:Occurrence itself.
Examples
  • http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/322/5899/261
  • Christopher J. Conroy, Jennifer L. Neuwald. 2008. Phylogeographic study of the California vole, Microtus californicus Journal of Mammalogy, 89(3):755-767.
  • Steven R. Hoofer and Ronald A. Van Den Bussche. 2001. Phylogenetic Relationships of Plecotine Bats and Allies Based on Mitochondrial Ribosomal Sequences. Journal of Mammalogy 82(1):131-137. | Walker, Faith M., Jeffrey T. Foster, Kevin P. Drees, Carol L. Chambers. 2014. Spotted bat (Euderma maculatum) microsatellite discovery using illumina sequencing. Conservation Genetics Resources.
associatedTaxa
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/associatedTaxa
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of identifiers or names of dwc:Taxon records and the associations of this dwc:Occurrence to each of them.
CommentsThis term can be used to provide a list of associations to dwc:Taxon records other than the one defined in the dwc:Occurrence. Note that the dwc:ResourceRelationship class is an alternative means of representing associations, and with more detail. This term is not apt for establishing relationships between dwc:Taxon records, only between specific dwc:Occurrences of a dwc:Organism with other dwc:Taxon records. Recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ).
Examples
  • "host":"Quercus alba"
  • "host":"gbif.org/species/2879737"
  • "parasitoid of":"Cyclocephala signaticollis" | "predator of":"Apis mellifera"
otherCatalogNumbers
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/otherCatalogNumbers
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of previous or alternate fully qualified catalog numbers or other human-used identifiers for the same dwc:Occurrence, whether in the current or any other data set or collection.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ).
Examples
  • FMNH:Mammal:1234
  • NPS YELLO6778 | MBG 33424
occurrenceRemarks
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/occurrenceRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes about the dwc:Occurrence.
Comments
Examplesfound dead on road

Organism

Organism Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Organism
DefinitionA particular organism or defined group of organisms considered to be taxonomically homogeneous.
CommentsInstances of the dwc:Organism class are intended to facilitate linking one or more dwc:Identification instances to one or more dwc:Occurrence instances. Therefore, things that are typically assigned scientific names (such as viruses, hybrids, and lichens) and aggregates whose dwc:Occurrences are typically recorded (such as packs, clones, and colonies) are included in the scope of this class.
Examples
  • a specific bird
  • a specific wolf pack
  • a specific instance of a bacterial culture
organismID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismID
DefinitionAn identifier for the dwc:Organism instance (as opposed to a particular digital record of the dwc:Organism). May be a globally unique identifier or an identifier specific to the data set.
Comments
Exampleshttp://arctos.database.museum/guid/WNMU:Mamm:1249
organismName
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismName
DefinitionA textual name or label assigned to a dwc:Organism instance.
Comments
Examples
  • Huberta
  • Boab Prison Tree
  • J pod
organismScope
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismScope
DefinitionA description of the kind of dwc:Organism instance. Can be used to indicate whether the dwc:Organism instance represents a discrete organism or if it represents a particular type of aggregation.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. This term is not intended to be used to specify a type of dwc:Taxon. To describe the kind of dwc:Organism using a URI object in RDF, use rdf:type (http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#type) instead.
Examples
  • multicellular organism
  • virus
  • clone
  • pack
  • colony
associatedOrganisms
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/associatedOrganisms
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of identifiers of other dwc:Organisms and the associations of this dwc:Organism to each of them.
CommentsThis term can be used to provide a list of associations to other dwc:Organisms. Note that the dwc:ResourceRelationship class is an alternative means of representing associations, and with more detail. Recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ).
Examples
previousIdentifications
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/previousIdentifications
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of previous assignments of names to the dwc:Organism.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ).
Examples
  • Chalepidae
  • Pinus abies
  • Anthus sp., field ID by G. Iglesias | Anthus correndera, expert ID by C. Cicero 2009-02-12 based on morphology
organismRemarks
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes about the dwc:Organism instance.
Comments
ExamplesOne of a litter of six

MaterialEntity

MaterialEntity Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/MaterialEntity
DefinitionAn entity that can be identified, exists for some period of time, and consists in whole or in part of physical matter while it exists.
CommentsThe term is defined at the most general level to admit descriptions of any subtype of material entity within the scope of Darwin Core. In particular, any kind of material sample, preserved specimen, fossil, or exemplar from living collections is intended to be subsumed under this term.
Examples
  • an instance of a fossil
  • an instance of a herbarium sheet with its attached plant specimen
  • a particular part of the plant-derived material affixed to a herbarium sheet
  • an instance of a frozen tissue sample
  • a specific water sample
  • an instance of a meteorite fragment
  • a particular wolf in a zoo
  • a particular pack of wolves in the wild
  • an isolated molecule of DNA
  • a specific deep-frozen DNA sample
  • a particular field notebook
  • a particular paper page from a field notebook
  • an instance of a printed photograph
materialEntityID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/materialEntityID
DefinitionAn identifier for a particular instance of a dwc:MaterialEntity.
CommentsValues of dwc:materialEntityID are intended to uniquely and persistently identify a particular dwc:MaterialEntity within some context. Examples of context include a particular sample collection, an organization, or the worldwide scale. Recommended best practice is to use a persistent, globally unique identifier. The identifier is bound to a physical object (the dwc:MaterialEntity) as opposed to a particular digital record (representation) of that physical object.
Examples06809dc5-f143-459a-be1a-6f03e63fc083
preparations
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/preparations
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of preparations and preservation methods for a dwc:MaterialEntity.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ). This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • fossil
  • cast
  • photograph
  • DNA extract
  • skin | skull | skeleton
  • whole animal (ETOH) | tissue (EDTA)
disposition
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/disposition
DefinitionThe current state of a dwc:MaterialEntity with respect to a collection.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • in collection
  • missing
  • on loan
  • used up
  • destroyed
  • deaccessioned
verbatimLabel
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimLabel
DefinitionThe content of this term should include no embellishments, prefixes, headers or other additions made to the text. Abbreviations must not be expanded and supposed misspellings must not be corrected. Lines or breakpoints between blocks of text that could be verified by seeing the original labels or images of them may be used. Examples of material entities include preserved specimens, fossil specimens, and material samples. Best practice is to use UTF-8 for all characters. Best practice is to add comment “verbatimLabel derived from human transcription” in dwc:occurrenceRemarks.
CommentsExamples can be found at https://dwc.tdwg.org/examples/verbatimLabel.
Examples
associatedSequences
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/associatedSequences
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of identifiers (publication, global unique identifier, URI) of genetic sequence information associated with the dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments
Examples
materialEntityRemarks
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/materialEntityRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes about the dwc:MaterialEntity instance.
Comments
Examples
  • found in association with charred remains
  • some original fragments missing

MaterialSample

MaterialSample Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/MaterialSample
DefinitionA material entity that represents an entity of interest in whole or in part.
Comments
Examples
  • a whole organism preserved in a collection
  • a part of an organism isolated for some purpose
  • a soil sample
  • a marine microbial sample
materialSampleID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/materialSampleID
DefinitionAn identifier for the dwc:MaterialSample (as opposed to a particular digital record of the dwc:MaterialSample). In the absence of a persistent global unique identifier, construct one from a combination of identifiers in the record that will most closely make the dwc:materialSampleID globally unique.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a persistent, globally unique identifier.
Examples06809dc5-f143-459a-be1a-6f03e63fc083

Event

Event Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Event
DefinitionAn action that occurs at some location during some time.
Comments
Examples
  • a specimen collecting event
  • a camera trap image capture
  • a marine trawl
eventID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/eventID
DefinitionAn identifier for the set of information associated with a dwc:Event (something that occurs at a place and time). May be a global unique identifier or an identifier specific to the data set.
Comments
ExamplesINBO:VIS:Ev:00009375
parentEventID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/parentEventID
DefinitionAn identifier for the broader dwc:Event that groups this and potentially other dwc:Events.
CommentsUse a globally unique identifier for a dwc:Event or an identifier for a dwc:Event that is specific to the data set.
ExamplesA1 (parentEventID to identify the main Whittaker Plot in nested samples, each with its own eventID - A1:1, A1:2).
eventType
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/eventType
DefinitionThe nature of the dwc:Event.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Regardless of the dwc:eventType, the interval of the dwc:Event can be captured in dwc:eventDate. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • Sample
  • Observation
  • Site Visit
  • Biotic Interaction
  • Bioblitz
  • Expedition
  • Survey
  • Project
fieldNumber
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/fieldNumber
DefinitionAn identifier given to the dwc:Event in the field. Often serves as a link between field notes and the dwc:Event.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
ExamplesRV Sol 87-03-08
eventDate
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/eventDate
DefinitionThe date-time or interval during which a dwc:Event occurred. For occurrences, this is the date-time when the dwc:Event was recorded. Not suitable for a time in a geological context.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples
  • 1963-03-08T14:07-0600 (8 Mar 1963 at 2:07pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC)
  • 2009-02-20T08:40Z (20 February 2009 8:40am UTC)
  • 2018-08-29T15:19 (3:19pm local time on 29 August 2018)
  • 1809-02-12 (some time during 12 February 1809)
  • 1906-06 (some time in June 1906)
  • 1971 (some time in the year 1971)
  • 2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z (some time during the interval between 1 March 2007 1pm UTC and 11 May 2008 3:30pm UTC)
  • 1900/1909 (some time during the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and the end of the year 1909)
  • 2007-11-13/15 (some time in the interval between 13 November 2007 and 15 November 2007)
eventTime
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/eventTime
DefinitionThe time or interval during which a dwc:Event occurred.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a time of day that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples
  • 14:07-0600 (2:07pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC)
  • 08:40:21Z (8:40:21am UTC)
  • 13:00:00Z/15:30:00Z (the interval between 1pm UTC and 3:30pm UTC)
startDayOfYear
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/startDayOfYear
DefinitionThe earliest integer day of the year on which the dwc:Event occurred (1 for January 1, 365 for December 31, except in a leap year, in which case it is 366).
Comments
Examples
  • 1 (1 January)
  • 366 (31 December)
  • 365 (30 December in a leap year, 31 December in a non-leap year)
endDayOfYear
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/endDayOfYear
DefinitionThe latest integer day of the year on which the dwc:Event occurred (1 for January 1, 365 for December 31, except in a leap year, in which case it is 366).
Comments
Examples
  • 1 (1 January)
  • 32 (1 February)
  • 366 (31 December)
  • 365 (30 December in a leap year, 31 December in a non-leap year)
year
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/year
DefinitionThe four-digit year in which the dwc:Event occurred, according to the Common Era Calendar.
Comments
Examples
  • 1160
  • 2008
month
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/month
DefinitionThe integer month in which the dwc:Event occurred.
Comments
Examples
  • 1 (January)
  • 10 (October)
day
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/day
DefinitionThe integer day of the month on which the dwc:Event occurred.
Comments
Examples
  • 9
  • 28
verbatimEventDate
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimEventDate
DefinitionThe verbatim original representation of the date and time information for a dwc:Event.
Comments
Examples
  • spring 1910
  • Marzo 2002
  • 1999-03-XX
  • 17IV1934
habitat
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/habitat
DefinitionA category or description of the habitat in which the dwc:Event occurred.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • oak savanna
  • pre-cordilleran steppe
samplingProtocol
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/samplingProtocol
DefinitionThe names of, references to, or descriptions of the methods or protocols used during a dwc:Event.
CommentsRecommended best practice is describe a dwc:Event with no more than one sampling protocol. In the case of a summary Event with multiple protocols, in which a specific protocol can not be attributed to specific dwc:Occurrences, the recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ). This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
sampleSizeValue
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/sampleSizeValue
DefinitionA numeric value for a measurement of the size (time duration, length, area, or volume) of a sample in a sampling dwc:Event.
CommentsA dwc:sampleSizeValue must have a corresponding dwc:sampleSizeUnit.
Examples5 (sampleSizeValue) with metre (sampleSizeUnit)
sampleSizeUnit
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/sampleSizeUnit
DefinitionThe unit of measurement of the size (time duration, length, area, or volume) of a sample in a sampling dwc:Event.
CommentsA dwc:sampleSizeUnit must have a corresponding dwc:sampleSizeValue, e.g., 5 for dwc:sampleSizeValue with m for dwc:sampleSizeUnit. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • minute
  • hour
  • day
  • metre
  • square metre
  • cubic metre
samplingEffort
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/samplingEffort
DefinitionThe amount of effort expended during a dwc:Event.
Comments
Examples
  • 40 trap-nights
  • 10 observer-hours
  • 10 km by foot
  • 30 km by car
fieldNotes
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/fieldNotes
DefinitionOne of a) an indicator of the existence of, b) a reference to (publication, URI), or c) the text of notes taken in the field about the dwc:Event.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
ExamplesNotes available in the Grinnell-Miller Library.
eventRemarks
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/eventRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes about the dwc:Event.
Comments
ExamplesAfter the recent rains the river is nearly at flood stage.

Location

Location Class
Identifierhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/Location
DefinitionA spatial region or named place.
Comments
Examples
  • the municipality of San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
  • the place defined by a georeference
locationID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/locationID
DefinitionAn identifier for the set of dcterms:Location information. May be a global unique identifier or an identifier specific to the data set.
Comments
Exampleshttps://opencontext.org/subjects/768A875F-E205-4D0B-DE55-BAB7598D0FD1
higherGeographyID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/higherGeographyID
DefinitionAn identifier for the geographic region within which the dcterms:Location occurred.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a persistent identifier from a controlled vocabulary such as the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.
Exampleshttp://vocab.getty.edu/tgn/1002002 (Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur, Territorio Nacional de la Tierra del Fuego, Argentina).
higherGeography
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/higherGeography
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of geographic names less specific than the information captured in the dwc:locality term.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ), with terms in order from least specific to most specific.
Examples
  • North Atlantic Ocean
  • South America | Argentina | Patagonia | Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi | Neuquén | Los Lagos with accompanying values South America (continent) Argentina (country), Neuquén (first order division), and Los Lagos (second order division)
continent
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/continent
DefinitionThe name of the continent in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names. Recommended best practice is to leave this field blank if the dcterms:Location spans multiple entities at this administrative level or if the dcterms:Location might be in one or another of multiple possible entities at this level. Multiplicity and uncertainty of the geographic entity can be captured either in the term dwc:higherGeography or in the term dwc:locality, or both.
Examples
  • Africa
  • Antarctica
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • North America
  • Oceania
  • South America
waterBody
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/waterBody
DefinitionThe name of the water body in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.
Examples
  • Indian Ocean
  • Baltic Sea
  • Hudson River
  • Lago Nahuel Huapi
islandGroup
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/islandGroup
DefinitionThe name of the island group in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.
Examples
  • Alexander Archipelago
  • Archipiélago Diego Ramírez
  • Seychelles
island
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/island
DefinitionThe name of the island on or near which the dcterms:Location occurs.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.
Examples
  • Nosy Be
  • Bikini Atoll
  • Vancouver
  • Viti Levu
  • Zanzibar
country
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/country
DefinitionThe name of the country or major administrative unit in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names. Recommended best practice is to leave this field blank if the dcterms:Location spans multiple entities at this administrative level or if the dcterms:Location might be in one or another of multiple possible entities at this level. Multiplicity and uncertainty of the geographic entity can be captured either in the term dwc:higherGeography or in the term dwc:locality, or both.
Examples
  • Denmark
  • Colombia
  • España
countryCode
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/countryCode
DefinitionThe standard code for the country in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use an ISO 3166-1-alpha-2 country code. Recommended best practice is to leave this field blank if the dcterms:Location spans multiple entities at this administrative level or if the dcterms:Location might be in one or another of multiple possible entities at this level. Multiplicity and uncertainty of the geographic entity can be captured either in the term dwc:higherGeography or in the term dwc:locality, or both.
Examples
  • AR
  • SV
stateProvince
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/stateProvince
DefinitionThe name of the next smaller administrative region than country (state, province, canton, department, region, etc.) in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names. Recommended best practice is to leave this field blank if the dcterms:Location spans multiple entities at this administrative level or if the dcterms:Location might be in one or another of multiple possible entities at this level. Multiplicity and uncertainty of the geographic entity can be captured either in the term dwc:higherGeography or in the term dwc:locality, or both.
Examples
  • Montana
  • Minas Gerais
  • Córdoba
county
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/county
DefinitionThe full, unabbreviated name of the next smaller administrative region than stateProvince (county, shire, department, etc.) in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names. Recommended best practice is to leave this field blank if the dcterms:Location spans multiple entities at this administrative level or if the dcterms:Location might be in one or another of multiple possible entities at this level. Multiplicity and uncertainty of the geographic entity can be captured either in the term dwc:higherGeography or in the term dwc:locality, or both.
Examples
  • Missoula
  • Los Lagos
  • Mataró
municipality
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/municipality
DefinitionThe full, unabbreviated name of the next smaller administrative region than county (city, municipality, etc.) in which the dcterms:Location occurs. Do not use this term for a nearby named place that does not contain the actual dcterms:Location.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names. Recommended best practice is to leave this field blank if the dcterms:Location spans multiple entities at this administrative level or if the dcterms:Location might be in one or another of multiple possible entities at this level. Multiplicity and uncertainty of the geographic entity can be captured either in the term dwc:higherGeography or in the term dwc:locality, or both.
Examples
  • Holzminden
  • Araçatuba
  • Ga-Segonyana
locality
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/locality
DefinitionThe specific description of the place.
CommentsLess specific geographic information can be provided in other geographic terms (dwc:higherGeography, dwc:continent, dwc:country, dwc:stateProvince, dwc:county, dwc:municipality, dwc:waterBody, dwc:island, dwc:islandGroup). This term may contain information modified from the original to correct perceived errors or standardize the description.
Examples
  • Bariloche, 25 km NNE via Ruta Nacional 40 (=Ruta 237)
  • Queets Rainforest, Olympic National Park
verbatimLocality
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimLocality
DefinitionThe original textual description of the place.
Comments
Examples25 km NNE Bariloche por R. Nac. 237
minimumElevationInMeters
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/minimumElevationInMeters
DefinitionThe lower limit of the range of elevation (altitude, usually above sea level), in meters.
Comments
Examples
  • -100
  • 802
maximumElevationInMeters
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/maximumElevationInMeters
DefinitionThe upper limit of the range of elevation (altitude, usually above sea level), in meters.
Comments
Examples
  • -205
  • 1236
verbatimElevation
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimElevation
DefinitionThe original description of the elevation (altitude, usually above sea level) of the Location.
Comments
Examples100-200 m
verticalDatum
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verticalDatum
DefinitionThe vertical datum used as the reference upon which the values in the elevation terms are based.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • EGM84
  • EGM96
  • EGM2008
  • PGM2000A
  • PGM2004
  • PGM2006
  • PGM2007
  • epsg:7030
  • unknown
minimumDepthInMeters
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/minimumDepthInMeters
DefinitionThe lesser depth of a range of depth below the local surface, in meters.
Comments
Examples
  • 0
  • 100
maximumDepthInMeters
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/maximumDepthInMeters
DefinitionThe greater depth of a range of depth below the local surface, in meters.
Comments
Examples
  • 0
  • 200
verbatimDepth
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimDepth
DefinitionThe original description of the depth below the local surface.
Comments
Examples100-200 m
minimumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/minimumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters
DefinitionThe lesser distance in a range of distance from a reference surface in the vertical direction, in meters. Use positive values for locations above the surface, negative values for locations below. If depth measures are given, the reference surface is the location given by the depth, otherwise the reference surface is the location given by the elevation.
Comments
Examples
  • -1.5 (below the surface)
  • 4.2 (above the surface)
  • For a 1.5 meter sediment core from the bottom of a lake (at depth 20m) at 300m elevation: verbatimElevation: 300m minimumElevationInMeters: 300, maximumElevationInMeters: 300, verbatimDepth: 20m, minimumDepthInMeters: 20, maximumDepthInMeters: 20, minimumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters: 0, maximumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters: -1.5.
maximumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/maximumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters
DefinitionThe greater distance in a range of distance from a reference surface in the vertical direction, in meters. Use positive values for locations above the surface, negative values for locations below. If depth measures are given, the reference surface is the location given by the depth, otherwise the reference surface is the location given by the elevation.
Comments
Examples
  • -1.5 (below the surface)
  • 4.2 (above the surface)
  • For a 1.5 meter sediment core from the bottom of a lake (at depth 20m) at 300m elevation: verbatimElevation: 300m minimumElevationInMeters: 300, maximumElevationInMeters: 300, verbatimDepth: 20m, minimumDepthInMeters: 20, maximumDepthInMeters: 20, minimumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters: 0, maximumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters: -1.5.
locationAccordingTo
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/locationAccordingTo
DefinitionInformation about the source of this dcterms:Location information. Could be a publication (gazetteer), institution, or team of individuals.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
  • GADM
locationRemarks
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/locationRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes about the dcterms:Location.
Comments
Examplesunder water since 2005
decimalLatitude
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/decimalLatitude
DefinitionThe geographic latitude (in decimal degrees, using the spatial reference system given in dwc:geodeticDatum) of the geographic center of a dcterms:Location. Positive values are north of the Equator, negative values are south of it. Legal values lie between -90 and 90, inclusive.
Comments
Examples-41.0983423
decimalLongitude
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/decimalLongitude
DefinitionThe geographic longitude (in decimal degrees, using the spatial reference system given in dwc:geodeticDatum) of the geographic center of a dcterms:Location. Positive values are east of the Greenwich Meridian, negative values are west of it. Legal values lie between -180 and 180, inclusive.
Comments
Examples-121.1761111
geodeticDatum
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/geodeticDatum
DefinitionThe ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which the geographic coordinates given in dwc:decimalLatitude and dwc:decimalLongitude are based.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use the EPSG code of the SRS, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the geodetic datum, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the ellipsoid, if known. If none of these is known, use the value unknown. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • EPSG:4326
  • WGS84
  • NAD27
  • Campo Inchauspe
  • European 1950
  • Clarke 1866
  • unknown
coordinateUncertaintyInMeters
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/coordinateUncertaintyInMeters
DefinitionThe horizontal distance (in meters) from the given dwc:decimalLatitude and dwc:decimalLongitude describing the smallest circle containing the whole of the dcterms:Location. Leave the value empty if the uncertainty is unknown, cannot be estimated, or is not applicable (because there are no coordinates). Zero is not a valid value for this term.
Comments
Examples
  • 30 (reasonable lower limit on or after 2000-05-01 of a GPS reading under good conditions if the actual precision was not recorded at the time)
  • 100 (reasonable lower limit before 2000-05-01 of a GPS reading under good conditions if the actual precision was not recorded at the time)
  • 71 (uncertainty for a UTM coordinate having 100 meter precision and a known spatial reference system)
coordinatePrecision
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/coordinatePrecision
DefinitionA decimal representation of the precision of the coordinates given in the dwc:decimalLatitude and dwc:decimalLongitude.
Comments
Examples
  • 0.00001 (normal GPS limit for decimal degrees)
  • 0.000278 (nearest second)
  • 0.01667 (nearest minute)
  • 1.0 (nearest degree)
pointRadiusSpatialFit
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/pointRadiusSpatialFit
DefinitionThe ratio of the area of the point-radius (dwc:decimalLatitude, dwc:decimalLongitude, dwc:coordinateUncertaintyInMeters) to the area of the true (original, or most specific) spatial representation of the dcterms:Location. Legal values are 0, greater than or equal to 1, or undefined. A value of 1 is an exact match or 100% overlap. A value of 0 should be used if the given point-radius does not completely contain the original representation. The dwc:pointRadiusSpatialFit is undefined (and should be left empty) if the original representation is any geometry without area (e.g., a point or polyline) and without uncertainty and the given georeference is not that same geometry (without uncertainty). If both the original and the given georeference are the same point, the dwc:pointRadiusSpatialFit is 1.
CommentsDetailed explanations with graphical examples can be found in the Georeferencing Best Practices, Chapman and Wieczorek, 2020 (https://doi.org/10.15468/doc-gg7h-s853).
Examples
  • 0
  • 1
  • 1.5708
verbatimCoordinates
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimCoordinates
DefinitionThe verbatim original spatial coordinates of the dcterms:Location. The coordinate ellipsoid, geodeticDatum, or full Spatial Reference System (SRS) for these coordinates should be stored in dwc:verbatimSRS and the coordinate system should be stored in dwc:verbatimCoordinateSystem.
Comments
Examples
  • 41 05 54S 121 05 34W
  • 17T 630000 4833400
verbatimLatitude
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimLatitude
DefinitionThe verbatim original latitude of the dcterms:Location. The coordinate ellipsoid, geodeticDatum, or full Spatial Reference System (SRS) for these coordinates should be stored in dwc:verbatimSRS and the coordinate system should be stored in dwc:verbatimCoordinateSystem.
Comments
Examples41 05 54.03S
verbatimLongitude
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimLongitude
DefinitionThe verbatim original longitude of the dcterms:Location. The coordinate ellipsoid, geodeticDatum, or full Spatial Reference System (SRS) for these coordinates should be stored in dwc:verbatimSRS and the coordinate system should be stored in dwc:verbatimCoordinateSystem.
Comments
Examples121d 10' 34" W
verbatimCoordinateSystem
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimCoordinateSystem
DefinitionThe coordinate format for the dwc:verbatimLatitude and dwc:verbatimLongitude or the dwc:verbatimCoordinates of the dcterms:Location.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • decimal degrees
  • degrees decimal minutes
  • degrees minutes seconds
  • UTM
verbatimSRS
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimSRS
DefinitionThe ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which coordinates given in dwc:verbatimLatitude and dwc:verbatimLongitude, or dwc:verbatimCoordinates are based.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use the EPSG code of the SRS, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the geodetic datum, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the ellipsoid, if known. If none of these is known, use the value unknown. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • unknown
  • EPSG:4326
  • WGS84
  • NAD27
  • Campo Inchauspe
  • European 1950
  • Clarke 1866
footprintWKT
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/footprintWKT
DefinitionA Well-Known Text (WKT) representation of the shape (footprint, geometry) that defines the dcterms:Location. A dcterms:Location may have both a point-radius representation (see dwc:decimalLatitude) and a footprint representation, and they may differ from each other.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
ExamplesPOLYGON ((10 20, 11 20, 11 21, 10 21, 10 20)) (the one-degree bounding box with opposite corners at longitude=10, latitude=20 and longitude=11, latitude=21)
footprintSRS
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/footprintSRS
DefinitionThe ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which the geometry given in dwc:footprintWKT is based.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use the EPSG code of the SRS, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the geodetic datum, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the ellipsoid, if known. If none of these is known, use the value unknown. It is also permitted to provide the SRS in Well-Known-Text, especially if no EPSG code provides the necessary values for the attributes of the SRS. Do not use this term to describe the SRS of the dwc:decimalLatitude and dwc:decimalLongitude, nor of any verbatim coordinates - use the dwc:geodeticDatum and dwc:verbatimSRS instead. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • epsg:4326
  • GEOGCS["GCS_WGS_1984", DATUM["D_WGS_1984", SPHEROID["WGS_1984",6378137,298.257223563]], PRIMEM["Greenwich",0], UNIT["Degree",0.0174532925199433]] (WKT for the standard WGS84 Spatial Reference System EPSG:4326)
footprintSpatialFit
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/footprintSpatialFit
DefinitionThe ratio of the area of the dwc:footprintWKT to the area of the true (original, or most specific) spatial representation of the dcterms:Location. Legal values are 0, greater than or equal to 1, or undefined. A value of 1 is an exact match or 100% overlap. A value of 0 should be used if the given dwc:footprintWKT does not completely contain the original representation. The dwc:footprintSpatialFit is undefined (and should be left empty) if the original representation is any geometry without area (e.g., a point or polyline) and without uncertainty and the given georeference is not that same geometry (without uncertainty). If both the original and the given georeference are the same point, the dwc:footprintSpatialFit is 1.
CommentsDetailed explanations with graphical examples can be found in the Georeferencing Best Practices, Chapman and Wieczorek, 2020 (https://doi.org/10.15468/doc-gg7h-s853).
Examples
  • 0
  • 1
  • 1.5708
georeferencedBy
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferencedBy
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of names of people, groups, or organizations who determined the georeference (spatial representation) for the dcterms:Location.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ). This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • Brad Millen (ROM)
  • Kristina Yamamoto | Janet Fang
georeferencedDate
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferencedDate
DefinitionThe date on which the dcterms:Location was georeferenced.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples
  • 1963-03-08T14:07-0600 (8 Mar 1963 at 2:07pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC)
  • 2009-02-20T08:40Z (20 February 2009 8:40am UTC)
  • 2018-08-29T15:19 (3:19pm local time on 29 August 2018)
  • 1809-02-12 (some time during 12 February 1809)
  • 1906-06 (some time in June 1906)
  • 1971 (some time in the year 1971)
  • 2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z (some time during the interval between 1 March 2007 1pm UTC and 11 May 2008 3:30pm UTC)
  • 1900/1909 (some time during the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and the end of the year 1909)
  • 2007-11-13/15 (some time in the interval between 13 November 2007 and 15 November 2007)
georeferenceProtocol
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferenceProtocol
DefinitionA description or reference to the methods used to determine the spatial footprint, coordinates, and uncertainties.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
ExamplesGeoreferencing Quick Reference Guide (Zermoglio et al. 2020, https://doi.org/10.35035/e09p-h128)
georeferenceSources
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferenceSources
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of maps, gazetteers, or other resources used to georeference the dcterms:Location, described specifically enough to allow anyone in the future to use the same resources.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ). This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
georeferenceRemarks
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferenceRemarks
DefinitionNotes or comments about the spatial description determination, explaining assumptions made in addition or opposition to the those formalized in the method referred to in dwc:georeferenceProtocol.
Comments
ExamplesAssumed distance by road (Hwy. 101)

GeologicalContext

GeologicalContext Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/GeologicalContext
DefinitionGeological information, such as stratigraphy, that qualifies a region or place.
Comments
Examplesa lithostratigraphic layer
geologicalContextID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/geologicalContextID
DefinitionAn identifier for the set of information associated with a dwc:GeologicalContext (the location within a geological context, such as stratigraphy). May be a global unique identifier or an identifier specific to the data set.
Comments
Exampleshttps://opencontext.org/subjects/e54377f7-4452-4315-b676-40679b10c4d9
earliestEonOrLowestEonothem
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/earliestEonOrLowestEonothem
DefinitionThe full name of the earliest possible geochronologic eon or lowest chrono-stratigraphic eonothem or the informal name ("Precambrian") attributable to the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Phanerozoic
  • Proterozoic
latestEonOrHighestEonothem
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/latestEonOrHighestEonothem
DefinitionThe full name of the latest possible geochronologic eon or highest chrono-stratigraphic eonothem or the informal name ("Precambrian") attributable to the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Phanerozoic
  • Proterozoic
earliestEraOrLowestErathem
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/earliestEraOrLowestErathem
DefinitionThe full name of the earliest possible geochronologic era or lowest chronostratigraphic erathem attributable to the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Cenozoic
  • Mesozoic
latestEraOrHighestErathem
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/latestEraOrHighestErathem
DefinitionThe full name of the latest possible geochronologic era or highest chronostratigraphic erathem attributable to the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Cenozoic
  • Mesozoic
earliestPeriodOrLowestSystem
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/earliestPeriodOrLowestSystem
DefinitionThe full name of the earliest possible geochronologic period or lowest chronostratigraphic system attributable to the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Neogene
  • Tertiary
  • Quaternary
latestPeriodOrHighestSystem
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/latestPeriodOrHighestSystem
DefinitionThe full name of the latest possible geochronologic period or highest chronostratigraphic system attributable to the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Neogene
  • Tertiary
  • Quaternary
earliestEpochOrLowestSeries
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/earliestEpochOrLowestSeries
DefinitionThe full name of the earliest possible geochronologic epoch or lowest chronostratigraphic series attributable to the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Holocene
  • Pleistocene
  • Ibexian Series
latestEpochOrHighestSeries
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/latestEpochOrHighestSeries
DefinitionThe full name of the latest possible geochronologic epoch or highest chronostratigraphic series attributable to the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Holocene
  • Pleistocene
  • Ibexian Series
earliestAgeOrLowestStage
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/earliestAgeOrLowestStage
DefinitionThe full name of the earliest possible geochronologic age or lowest chronostratigraphic stage attributable to the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Atlantic
  • Boreal
  • Skullrockian
latestAgeOrHighestStage
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/latestAgeOrHighestStage
DefinitionThe full name of the latest possible geochronologic age or highest chronostratigraphic stage attributable to the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Atlantic
  • Boreal
  • Skullrockian
lowestBiostratigraphicZone
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/lowestBiostratigraphicZone
DefinitionThe full name of the lowest possible geological biostratigraphic zone of the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
ExamplesMaastrichtian
highestBiostratigraphicZone
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/highestBiostratigraphicZone
DefinitionThe full name of the highest possible geological biostratigraphic zone of the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
ExamplesBlancan
lithostratigraphicTerms
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/lithostratigraphicTerms
DefinitionThe combination of all litho-stratigraphic names for the rock from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
ExamplesPleistocene-Weichselien
group
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/group
DefinitionThe full name of the lithostratigraphic group from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Bathurst
  • Lower Wealden
formation
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/formation
DefinitionThe full name of the lithostratigraphic formation from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Notch Peak Formation
  • House Limestone
  • Fillmore Formation
member
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/member
DefinitionThe full name of the lithostratigraphic member from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples
  • Lava Dam Member
  • Hellnmaria Member
bed
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/bed
DefinitionThe full name of the lithostratigraphic bed from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
ExamplesHarlem coal

Identification

Identification Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Identification
DefinitionA taxonomic determination (e.g., the assignment to a dwc:Taxon).
Comments
Examplesa subspecies determination of an organism
identificationID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identificationID
DefinitionAn identifier for the dwc:Identification (the body of information associated with the assignment of a scientific name). May be a global unique identifier or an identifier specific to the data set.
Comments
Examples9992
verbatimIdentification
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimIdentification
DefinitionA string representing the taxonomic identification as it appeared in the original record.
CommentsThis term is meant to allow the capture of an unaltered original identification/determination, including identification qualifiers, hybrid formulas, uncertainties, etc. This term is meant to be used in addition to dwc:scientificName (and dwc:identificationQualifier etc.), not instead of it.
Examples
  • Peromyscus sp.
  • Ministrymon sp. nov. 1
  • Anser anser × Branta canadensis
  • Pachyporidae?
  • Potentilla × pantotricha Soják
  • Aconitum pilipes × A. variegatum
  • Lepomis auritus x cyanellus
identificationQualifier
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identificationQualifier
DefinitionA brief phrase or a standard term ("cf.", "aff.") to express the determiner's doubts about the dwc:Identification.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • aff. agrifolia var. oxyadenia (for Quercus aff. agrifolia var. oxyadenia with accompanying values Quercus in genus, agrifolia in specificEpithet, oxyadenia in infraspecificEpithet, and var. in taxonRank)
  • cf. var. oxyadenia (for Quercus agrifolia cf. var. oxyadenia with accompanying values Quercus in genus, agrifolia in specificEpithet, oxyadenia in infraspecificEpithet, and var. in taxonRank)
typeStatus
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/typeStatus
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of nomenclatural types (type status, typified scientific name, publication) applied to the subject.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ). This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • holotype of Ctenomys sociabilis. Pearson O. P., and M. I. Christie. 1985. Historia Natural, 5(37):388
  • holotype of Pinus abies | holotype of Picea abies
identifiedBy
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identifiedBy
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of names of people, groups, or organizations who assigned the dwc:Taxon to the subject.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ). This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • James L. Patton
  • Theodore Pappenfuss | Robert Macey
identifiedByID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identifiedByID
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of the globally unique identifier for the person, people, groups, or organizations responsible for assigning the dwc:Taxon to the subject.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to provide a single identifier that disambiguates the details of the identifying agent. If a list is used, the order of the identifiers on the list should not be assumed to convey any semantics. Recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ).
Examples
dateIdentified
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/dateIdentified
DefinitionThe date on which the subject was determined as representing the dwc:Taxon.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples
  • 1963-03-08T14:07-0600 (8 Mar 1963 at 2:07pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC)
  • 2009-02-20T08:40Z (20 February 2009 8:40am UTC)
  • 2018-08-29T15:19 (3:19pm local time on 29 August 2018)
  • 1809-02-12 (some time during 12 February 1809)
  • 1906-06 (some time in June 1906)
  • 1971 (some time in the year 1971)
  • 2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z (some time during the interval between 1 March 2007 1pm UTC and 11 May 2008 3:30pm UTC)
  • 1900/1909 (some time during the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and the end of the year 1909)
  • 2007-11-13/15 (some time in the interval between 13 November 2007 and 15 November 2007)
identificationReferences
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identificationReferences
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of references (publication, global unique identifier, URI) used in the dwc:Identification.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ).
Examples
  • Aves del Noroeste Patagonico. Christie et al. 2004.
  • Stebbins, R. Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd Edition. 2003. | Irschick, D.J. and Shaffer, H.B. (1997). The polytypic species revisited: Morphological differentiation among tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) (Amphibia: Caudata). Herpetologica, 53(1), 30-49.
identificationVerificationStatus
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identificationVerificationStatus
DefinitionA categorical indicator of the extent to which the taxonomic identification has been verified to be correct.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as that used in HISPID and ABCD. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples0 ("unverified" in HISPID/ABCD).
identificationRemarks
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identificationRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes about the dwc:Identification.
Comments
ExamplesDistinguished between Anthus correndera and Anthus hellmayri based on the comparative lengths of the uñas.

Taxon

Taxon Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Taxon
DefinitionA group of organisms (sensu http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/OBI_0100026) considered by taxonomists to form a homogeneous unit.
Comments
Examplesthe genus Truncorotaloides as published by Brönnimann et al. in 1953 in the Journal of Paleontology Vol. 27(6) p. 817-820
taxonID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/taxonID
DefinitionAn identifier for the set of dwc:Taxon information. May be a global unique identifier or an identifier specific to the data set.
Comments
Examples
scientificNameID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/scientificNameID
DefinitionAn identifier for the nomenclatural (not taxonomic) details of a scientific name.
Comments
Examplesurn:lsid:ipni.org:names:37829-1:1.3
acceptedNameUsageID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/acceptedNameUsageID
DefinitionAn identifier for the name usage (documented meaning of the name according to a source) of the currently valid (zoological) or accepted (botanical) taxon.
CommentsThis term should be used for synonyms or misapplied names to refer to the dwc:taxonID of a dwc:Taxon record that represents the accepted (botanical) or valid (zoological) name. For Darwin Core Archives the related record should be present locally in the same archive.
Examples
  • tsn:41107 (ITIS)
  • urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:320035-2 (IPNI)
  • 2704179 (GBIF)
  • 6W3C4 (COL)
parentNameUsageID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/parentNameUsageID
DefinitionAn identifier for the name usage (documented meaning of the name according to a source) of the direct, most proximate higher-rank parent taxon (in a classification) of the most specific element of the dwc:scientificName.
CommentsThis term should be used for accepted names to refer to the dwc:taxonID of a dwc:Taxon record that represents the next higher taxon rank in the same taxonomic classification. For Darwin Core Archives the related record should be present locally in the same archive.
Examples
  • tsn:41074 (ITIS)
  • urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30001404-2 (IPNI)
  • 2704173 (GBIF)
  • 6T8N (COL)
originalNameUsageID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/originalNameUsageID
DefinitionAn identifier for the name usage (documented meaning of the name according to a source) in which the terminal element of the dwc:scientificName was originally established under the rules of the associated dwc:nomenclaturalCode.
CommentsThis term should be used to refer to the dwc:taxonID of a dwc:Taxon record that represents the usage of the terminal element of the dwc:scientificName as originally established under the rules of the associated dwc:nomenclaturalCode. For example, for names governed by the ICNafp, this term would establish the relationship between a record representing a subsequent combination and the record for its corresponding basionym. Unlike basionyms, however, this term can apply to scientific names at all ranks. For Darwin Core Archives the related record should be present locally in the same archive.
Examples
  • tsn:41107 (ITIS)
  • urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:320035-2 (IPNI)
  • 2704179 (GBIF)
  • 6W3C4 (COL)
nameAccordingToID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/nameAccordingToID
DefinitionAn identifier for the source in which the specific taxon concept circumscription is defined or implied. See dwc:nameAccordingTo.
Comments
Exampleshttps://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-915X(97)80026-2
namePublishedInID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/namePublishedInID
DefinitionAn identifier for the publication in which the dwc:scientificName was originally established under the rules of the associated dwc:nomenclaturalCode.
CommentsA citation of the first publication of the name in its given combination, not the basionym / original name. Recombinations are often not published in zoology, in which case dwc:namePublishedInID should be empty.
Examples
taxonConceptID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/taxonConceptID
DefinitionAn identifier for the taxonomic concept to which the record refers - not for the nomenclatural details of a dwc:Taxon.
Comments
Examples8fa58e08-08de-4ac1-b69c-1235340b7001
scientificName
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/scientificName
DefinitionThe full scientific name, with authorship and date information if known. When forming part of a dwc:Identification, this should be the name in lowest level taxonomic rank that can be determined. This term should not contain identification qualifications, which should instead be supplied in the dwc:identificationQualifier term.
CommentsThis term should not contain identification qualifications, which should instead be supplied in the IdentificationQualifier term. When applied to an Organism or Occurrence, this term should be used to represent the scientific name that was applied to the associated Organism in accordance with the Taxon to which it was or is currently identified. Names should be compliant to the most recent nomenclatural code. For example, names of hybrids for algae, fungi and plants should follow the rules of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Schenzhen Code Articles H.1, H.2 and H.3). Thus, use the multiplication sign × (Unicode U+00D7, HTML ×) to identify a hybrid, not x or X, if possible.
Examples
  • Coleoptera (order)
  • Vespertilionidae (family)
  • Manis (genus)
  • Ctenomys sociabilis (genus + specificEpithet)
  • Ambystoma tigrinum diaboli (genus + specificEpithet + infraspecificEpithet)
  • Roptrocerus typographi (Györfi, 1952) (genus + specificEpithet + scientificNameAuthorship)
  • Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia (Torr.) J.T. Howell (genus + specificEpithet + taxonRank + infraspecificEpithet + scientificNameAuthorship)
  • ×Agropogon littoralis (Sm.) C. E. Hubb.
  • Mentha ×smithiana R. A. Graham
  • Agrostis stolonifera L. × Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf.
acceptedNameUsage
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/acceptedNameUsage
DefinitionThe full name, with authorship and date information if known, of the currently valid (zoological) or accepted (botanical) dwc:Taxon.
CommentsThe full scientific name, with authorship and date information if known, of the accepted (botanical) or valid (zoological) name in cases where the provided dwc:scientificName is considered by the reference indicated in the dwc:accordingTo property, or of the content provider, to be a synonym or misapplied name. When applied to a dwc:Organism or dwc:Occurrence, this term should be used in cases where a content provider regards the provided dwc:scientificName to be inconsistent with the taxonomic perspective of the content provider. For example, there are many discrepancies within specimen collections and observation datasets between the recorded name (e.g., the most recent identification from an expert who examined a specimen, or a field identification for an observed dwc:Organism), and the name asserted by the content provider to be taxonomically accepted.
ExamplesTamias minimus (valid name for Eutamias minimus)
parentNameUsage
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/parentNameUsage
DefinitionThe full name, with authorship and date information if known, of the direct, most proximate higher-rank parent dwc:Taxon (in a classification) of the most specific element of the dwc:scientificName.
Comments
Examples
  • Rubiaceae
  • Gruiformes
  • Testudinae
originalNameUsage
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/originalNameUsage
DefinitionThe taxon name, with authorship and date information if known, as it originally appeared when first established under the rules of the associated dwc:nomenclaturalCode. The basionym (botany) or basonym (bacteriology) of the dwc:scientificName or the senior/earlier homonym for replaced names.
CommentsThe full scientific name, with authorship and date information if known, of the name usage in which the terminal element of the dwc:scientificName was originally established under the rules of the associated dwc:nomenclaturalCode. For example, for names governed by the ICNafp, this term would indicate the basionym of a record representing a subsequent combination. Unlike basionyms, however, this term can apply to scientific names at all ranks.
Examples
  • Pinus abies
  • Gasterosteus saltatrix Linnaeus 1768
nameAccordingTo
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/nameAccordingTo
DefinitionThe reference to the source in which the specific taxon concept circumscription is defined or implied - traditionally signified by the Latin "sensu" or "sec." (from secundum, meaning "according to"). For taxa that result from identifications, a reference to the keys, monographs, experts and other sources should be given.
CommentsThis term provides context to the dwc:scientificName. Together with the dwc:scientificName, separated by sensu or sec., it forms the taxon concept label, which may be seen as having the same relationship to dwc:taxonConceptID as, for example, dwc:acceptedNameUsage has to dwc:acceptedNameUsageID. When not provided, in Taxon Core data sets the dwc:nameAccordingTo can be taken to be the data set. In this case the data set mostly provides sufficient context to infer the delimitation of the taxon and its relationship with other taxa. In Occurrence Core data sets, when not provided, dwc:nameAccordingTo can be an underlying taxonomy of the data set, e.g. Plants of the World Online (http://powo.science.kew.org/) for vascular plant records in iNaturalist (in which case it should be provided), or, which is the case for most dwc:PreservedSpecimen data sets, the dwc:Identification, in which case there is no further context.
ExamplesFranz NM, Cardona-Duque J (2013) Description of two new species and phylogenetic reassessment of Perelleschus Wibmer & O’Brien, 1986 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with a complete taxonomic concept history of Perelleschus sec. Franz & Cardona-Duque, 2013. Syst Biodivers. 11: 209–236. (as the full citation of the Franz & Cardona-Duque (2013) in Perelleschus splendida sec. Franz & Cardona-Duque (2013))
namePublishedIn
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/namePublishedIn
DefinitionA reference for the publication in which the dwc:scientificName was originally established under the rules of the associated dwc:nomenclaturalCode.
CommentsA citation of the first publication of the name in its given combination, not the basionym / original name. Recombinations are often not published in zoology, in which case dwc:namePublishedIn should be empty.
Examples
  • Pearson O. P., and M. I. Christie. 1985. Historia Natural, 5(37):388
  • Forel, Auguste, Diagnosies provisoires de quelques espèces nouvelles de fourmis de Madagascar, récoltées par M. Grandidier., Annales de la Societe Entomologique de Belgique, Comptes-rendus des Seances 30, 1886
namePublishedInYear
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/namePublishedInYear
DefinitionThe four-digit year in which the dwc:scientificName was published.
Comments
Examples
  • 1915
  • 2008
higherClassification
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/higherClassification
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of taxa names terminating at the rank immediately superior to the referenced dwc:Taxon.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ), with terms in order from the highest taxonomic rank to the lowest.
Examples
  • Plantae | Tracheophyta | Magnoliopsida | Ranunculales | Ranunculaceae | Ranunculus
  • Animalia
  • Animalia | Chordata | Vertebrata | Mammalia | Theria | Eutheria | Rodentia | Hystricognatha | Hystricognathi | Ctenomyidae | Ctenomyini | Ctenomys
kingdom
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/kingdom
DefinitionThe full scientific name of the kingdom in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Comments
Examples
  • Animalia
  • Archaea
  • Bacteria
  • Chromista
  • Fungi
  • Plantae
  • Protozoa
  • Viruses
phylum
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/phylum
DefinitionThe full scientific name of the phylum or division in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Comments
Examples
  • Chordata (phylum)
  • Bryophyta (division)
class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/class
DefinitionThe full scientific name of the class in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Comments
Examples
  • Mammalia
  • Hepaticopsida
order
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/order
DefinitionThe full scientific name of the order in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Comments
Examples
  • Carnivora
  • Monocleales
superfamily
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/superfamily
DefinitionThe full scientific name of the superfamily in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
CommentsA taxonomic category subordinate to an order and superior to a family. According to ICZN article 29.2, the suffix -oidea is used for a superfamily name.
Examples
  • Achatinoidea
  • Cerithioidea
  • Helicoidea
  • Hypsibioidea
  • Valvatoidea
  • Zonitoidea
family
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/family
DefinitionThe full scientific name of the family in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Comments
Examples
  • Felidae
  • Monocleaceae
subfamily
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/subfamily
DefinitionThe full scientific name of the subfamily in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Comments
Examples
  • Periptyctinae
  • Orchidoideae
  • Sphindociinae
tribe
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/tribe
DefinitionThe full scientific name of the tribe in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Comments
Examples
  • Ortaliini
  • Arethuseae
subtribe
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/subtribe
DefinitionThe full scientific name of the subtribe in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Comments
Examples
  • Plotinini
  • Typhaeini
genus
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/genus
DefinitionThe full scientific name of the genus in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Comments
Examples
  • Puma
  • Monoclea
genericName
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/genericName
DefinitionThe genus part of the dwc:scientificName without authorship.
CommentsFor synonyms the accepted genus and the genus part of the name may be different. The term dwc:genericName should be used together with dwc:specificEpithet to form a binomial and with dwc:infraspecificEpithet to form a trinomial. The term dwc:genericName should only be used for combinations. Uninomials of generic rank do not have a dwc:genericName.
ExamplesFelis (for scientificName Felis concolor, with accompanying values of Puma concolor in acceptedNameUsage and Puma in genus)
subgenus
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/subgenus
DefinitionThe full scientific name of the subgenus in which the dwc:Taxon is classified. Values should include the genus to avoid homonym confusion.
Comments
Examples
  • Strobus
  • Amerigo
  • Pilosella
infragenericEpithet
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/infragenericEpithet
DefinitionThe infrageneric part of a binomial name at ranks above species but below genus.
CommentsThe term dwc:infragenericEpithet should be used in conjunction with dwc:genericName, dwc:specificEpithet, dwc:infraspecificEpithet, dwc:taxonRank and dwc:scientificNameAuthorship to represent the individual elements of the complete dwc:scientificName. It can be used to indicate the subgenus placement of a species, which in zoology is often given in parentheses. Can also be used to share infrageneric names such as botanical sections (e.g., Vicia sect. Cracca).
Examples
  • Abacetillus (for scientificName Abacetus (Abacetillus) ambiguus)
  • Cracca (for scientificName Vicia sect. Cracca)
specificEpithet
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/specificEpithet
DefinitionThe name of the first or species epithet of the dwc:scientificName.
Comments
Examples
  • concolor
  • gottschei
infraspecificEpithet
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/infraspecificEpithet
DefinitionThe name of the lowest or terminal infraspecific epithet of the dwc:scientificName, excluding any rank designation.
CommentsIn botany, name strings in literature and identifications may have multiple infraspecific ranks. According to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Schenzhen Code Articles 6.7 & Art. 24.1), valid names only have two epithets, with the lowest rank being the dwc:infraspecificEpithet. For example: the dwc:infraspecificEpithet in the string Indigofera charlieriana subsp. sessilis var. scaberrima is scaberrima and the dwc:scientificName is Indigofera charlieriana var. scaberrima (Schinz) J.B.Gillett. Use dwc:verbatimIdentification for the full name string used in a dwc:Identification.
Examples
  • concolor (for scientificName Puma concolor concolor (Linnaeus, 1771))
  • oxyadenia (for scientificName Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia (Torr.) J.T. Howell)
  • laxa (for scientificName Cheilanthes hirta f. laxa (Kunze) W.Jacobsen & N.Jacobsen)
  • scaberrima (for scientificName Indigofera charlieriana var. scaberrima (Schinz) J.B.Gillett)
cultivarEpithet
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/cultivarEpithet
DefinitionPart of the name of a cultivar, cultivar group or grex that follows the dwc:scientificName.
CommentsAccording to the Rules of the Cultivated Plant Code, a cultivar name consists of a botanical name followed by a cultivar epithet. The value given as the dwc:cultivarEpithet should exclude any quotes. The term dwc:taxonRank should be used to indicate which type of cultivated plant name (e.g. cultivar, cultivar group, grex) is concerned. This epithet, including any enclosing apostrophes or suffix, should be provided in dwc:scientificName as well.
Examples
  • King Edward (for scientificName Solanum tuberosum 'King Edward' and taxonRank cultivar)
  • Mishmiense (for scientificName Rhododendron boothii Mishmiense Group and taxonRank cultivar group)
  • Atlantis (for scientificName Paphiopedilum Atlantis grex and taxonRank grex)
taxonRank
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/taxonRank
DefinitionThe taxonomic rank of the most specific name in the dwc:scientificName.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. The taxon ranks of algae, fungi and plants are defined in the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Schenzhen Code Articles H3.2, H4.4 and H.3.1).
Examples
  • subspecies
  • varietas
  • forma
  • species
  • genus
  • nothogenus
  • nothospecies
  • nothosubspecies
verbatimTaxonRank
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimTaxonRank
DefinitionThe taxonomic rank of the most specific name in the dwc:scientificName as it appears in the original record.
Comments
Examples
  • Agamospecies
  • sub-lesus
  • prole
  • apomict
  • nothogrex
  • sp.
  • subsp.
  • var.
scientificNameAuthorship
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/scientificNameAuthorship
DefinitionThe authorship information for the dwc:scientificName formatted according to the conventions of the applicable dwc:nomenclaturalCode.
Comments
Examples
  • (Torr.) J.T. Howell
  • (Martinovský) Tzvelev
  • (Györfi, 1952)
vernacularName
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/vernacularName
DefinitionA common or vernacular name.
Comments
Examples
  • Andean Condor
  • Condor Andino
  • American Eagle
  • Gänsegeier
nomenclaturalCode
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/nomenclaturalCode
DefinitionThe nomenclatural code (or codes in the case of an ambiregnal name) under which the dwc:scientificName is constructed.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary.
Examples
  • ICN
  • ICZN
  • BC
  • ICNCP
  • BioCode
taxonomicStatus
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/taxonomicStatus
DefinitionThe status of the use of the dwc:scientificName as a label for a taxon. Requires taxonomic opinion to define the scope of a dwc:Taxon. Rules of priority then are used to define the taxonomic status of the nomenclature contained in that scope, combined with the experts opinion. It must be linked to a specific taxonomic reference that defines the concept.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary.
Examples
  • invalid
  • misapplied
  • homotypic synonym
  • accepted
nomenclaturalStatus
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/nomenclaturalStatus
DefinitionThe status related to the original publication of the name and its conformance to the relevant rules of nomenclature. It is based essentially on an algorithm according to the business rules of the code. It requires no taxonomic opinion.
Comments
Examples
  • nom. ambig.
  • nom. illeg.
  • nom. subnud.
taxonRemarks
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/taxonRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes about the taxon or name.
Comments
Examplesthis name is a misspelling in common use

MeasurementOrFact

MeasurementOrFact Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/MeasurementOrFact
DefinitionA measurement of or fact about an rdfs:Resource (http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#Resource).
CommentsResources can be thought of as identifiable records or instances of classes and may include, but need not be limited to instances of dwc:Occurrence, dwc:Organism, dwc:MaterialEntity, dwc:Event, dcterms:Location, dwc:GeologicalContext, dwc:Identification, or dwc:Taxon.
Examples
  • the weight of a dwc:Organism in grams
  • the number of placental scars
  • surface water temperature in Celsius
measurementID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementID
DefinitionAn identifier for the dwc:MeasurementOrFact (information pertaining to measurements, facts, characteristics, or assertions). May be a global unique identifier or an identifier specific to the data set.
Comments
Examples9c752d22-b09a-11e8-96f8-529269fb1459
parentMeasurementID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/parentMeasurementID
DefinitionAn identifier for a broader dwc:MeasurementOrFact that groups this and potentially other dwc:MeasurementOrFacts.
CommentsMay be a globally unique identifier or an identifier specific to the data set.
Examples
  • 9c752d22-b09a-11e8-96f8-529269fb1459
  • E1_E1_O1_M1
measurementType
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementType
DefinitionThe nature of the measurement, fact, characteristic, or assertion.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • tail length
  • temperature
  • trap line length
  • survey area
  • trap type
measurementValue
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementValue
DefinitionThe value of the measurement, fact, characteristic, or assertion.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • 45
  • 20
  • 1
  • 14.5
  • UV-light
measurementAccuracy
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementAccuracy
DefinitionThe description of the potential error associated with the dwc:measurementValue.
Comments
Examples
  • 0.01
  • normal distribution with variation of 2 m
measurementUnit
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementUnit
DefinitionThe units associated with the dwc:measurementValue.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use the International System of Units (SI). This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • m
  • g
  • l
  • °C
  • mm
  • km²
  • %
  • hh:mm:ss
measurementDeterminedBy
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementDeterminedBy
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of names of people, groups, or organizations who determined the value of the dwc:MeasurementOrFact.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( | ). This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • Rob Guralnick
  • Peter Desmet | Stijn Van Hoey
measurementDeterminedDate
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementDeterminedDate
DefinitionThe date on which the dwc:MeasurementOrFact was made.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples
  • 1963-03-08T14:07-0600 (8 Mar 1963 at 2:07pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC)
  • 2009-02-20T08:40Z (20 February 2009 8:40am UTC)
  • 2018-08-29T15:19 (3:19pm local time on 29 August 2018)
  • 1809-02-12 (some time during 12 February 1809)
  • 1906-06 (some time in June 1906)
  • 1971 (some time in the year 1971)
  • 2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z (some time during the interval between 1 March 2007 1pm UTC and 11 May 2008 3:30pm UTC)
  • 1900/1909 (some time during the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and the end of the year 1909)
  • 2007-11-13/15 (some time in the interval between 13 November 2007 and 15 November 2007)
measurementMethod
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementMethod
DefinitionA description of or reference to (publication, URI) the method or protocol used to determine the measurement, fact, characteristic, or assertion.
CommentsThis term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples
  • minimum convex polygon around burrow entrances (for a home range area)
  • barometric altimeter (for an elevation)
measurementRemarks
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes accompanying the dwc:MeasurementOrFact.
Comments
Examplestip of tail missing

ResourceRelationship

ResourceRelationship Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/ResourceRelationship
DefinitionA relationship of one rdfs:Resource (http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#Resource) to another.
CommentsResources can be thought of as identifiable records or instances of classes and may include, but need not be limited to instances of dwc:Occurrence, dwc:Organism, dwc:MaterialEntity, dwc:Event, dcterms:Location, dwc:GeologicalContext, dwc:Identification, or dwc:Taxon.
Examples
  • an instance of a dwc:Organism is the mother of another instance of a dwc:Organism
  • a uniquely identified dwc:Occurrence represents the same dwc:Occurrence as another uniquely identified dwc:Occurrence
  • a dwc:MaterialEntity is a subsample of another dwc:MaterialEntity
resourceRelationshipID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/resourceRelationshipID
DefinitionAn identifier for an instance of relationship between one resource (the subject) and another (dwc:relatedResource, the object).
Comments
Examples04b16710-b09c-11e8-96f8-529269fb1459
resourceID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/resourceID
DefinitionAn identifier for the resource that is the subject of the relationship.
Comments
Examplesf809b9e0-b09b-11e8-96f8-529269fb1459
relationshipOfResourceID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relationshipOfResourceID
DefinitionAn identifier for the relationship type (predicate) that connects the subject identified by dwc:resourceID to its object identified by dwc:relatedResourceID.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use the identifiers of the terms in a controlled vocabulary, such as the OBO Relation Ontology.
Examples
relatedResourceID
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relatedResourceID
DefinitionAn identifier for a related resource (the object, rather than the subject of the relationship).
Comments
Examplesdc609808-b09b-11e8-96f8-529269fb1459
relationshipOfResource
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relationshipOfResource
DefinitionThe relationship of the subject (identified by dwc:resourceID) to the object (identified by dwc:relatedResourceID).
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary.
Examples
  • same as
  • duplicate of
  • mother of
  • offspring of
  • sibling of
  • parasite of
  • host of
  • valid synonym of
  • located within
  • pollinator of members of taxon
  • pollinated specific plant
  • pollinated by members of taxon
  • on slab with
relationshipAccordingTo
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relationshipAccordingTo
DefinitionThe source (person, organization, publication, reference) establishing the relationship between the two resources.
Comments
ExamplesJulie Woodruff
relationshipEstablishedDate
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relationshipEstablishedDate
DefinitionThe date-time on which the relationship between the two resources was established.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples
  • 1963-03-08T14:07-0600 (8 Mar 1963 at 2:07pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC)
  • 2009-02-20T08:40Z (20 February 2009 8:40am UTC)
  • 2018-08-29T15:19 (3:19pm local time on 29 August 2018)
  • 1809-02-12 (some time during 12 February 1809)
  • 1906-06 (some time in June 1906)
  • 1971 (some time in the year 1971)
  • 2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z (some time during the interval between 1 March 2007 1pm UTC and 11 May 2008 3:30pm UTC)
  • 1900/1909 (some time during the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and the end of the year 1909)
  • 2007-11-13/15 (some time in the interval between 13 November 2007 and 15 November 2007)
relationshipRemarks
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relationshipRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes about the relationship between the two resources.
Comments
Examples
  • mother and offspring collected from the same nest
  • pollinator captured in the act

UseWithIRI

For more information on UseWithIRI, see Section 2.5 of the RDF Guide.

language
Identifierhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/language
DefinitionA language of the resource.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use an IRI from the Library of Congress ISO 639-2 scheme http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/iso639-2
Examples
inDescribedPlace
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/inDescribedPlace
DefinitionUse to link a dcterms:Location instance subject to the lowest level standardized hierarchically-described resource.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use an IRI from a controlled registry. A "convenience property" that replaces Darwin Core literal-value terms related to locations. See Section 2.7.5 of the Darwin Core RDF Guide for details.
Exampleshttp://vocab.getty.edu/tgn/1019987
identifiedBy
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/identifiedBy
DefinitionA person, group, or organization who assigned the dwc:Taxon to the subject.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
recordedBy
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/recordedBy
DefinitionA person, group, or organization responsible for recording the original dwc:Occurrence.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
toTaxon
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/toTaxon
DefinitionUse to link a dwc:Identification instance subject to a taxonomic entity such as a taxon, taxon concept, or taxon name use.
CommentsA "convenience property" that replaces Darwin Core literal-value terms related to taxonomic entities. See Section 2.7.4 of the Darwin Core RDF Guide for details.
Examples
inCollection
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/inCollection
DefinitionUse to link any subject resource that is part of a collection to the collection containing the resource.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use an IRI from a controlled registry. A "convenience property" that replaces literal-value terms related to collections and institutions. See Section 2.7.3 of the Darwin Core RDF Guide for details.
Examples
georeferencedBy
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/georeferencedBy
DefinitionA person, group, or organization who determined the georeference (spatial representation) for the dcterms:Location.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
behavior
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/behavior
DefinitionA description of the behavior shown by the subject at the time the dwc:Occurrence was recorded.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
caste
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/caste
DefinitionCategorisation of individuals for eusocial species (including some mammals and arthropods).
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary that aligns best with the dwc:Taxon. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
dataGeneralizations
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/dataGeneralizations
DefinitionActions taken to make the shared data less specific or complete than in its original form. Suggests that alternative data of higher quality may be available on request.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
degreeOfEstablishment
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/degreeOfEstablishment
DefinitionThe degree to which a dwc:Organism survives, reproduces, and expands its range at the given place and time.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use IRIs from the controlled vocabulary designated for use with this term, listed at http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/doc/doe/. For details, refer to https://doi.org/10.3897/biss.3.38084 . Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
disposition
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/disposition
DefinitionThe current state of a specimen with respect to the collection identified in dwc:collectionCode or dwc:collectionID.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
earliestGeochronologicalEra
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/earliestGeochronologicalEra
DefinitionUse to link a dwc:GeologicalContext instance to chronostratigraphic time periods at the lowest possible level in a standardized hierarchy. Use this property to point to the earliest possible geological time period from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use an IRI from a controlled vocabulary. A "convenience property" that replaces Darwin Core literal-value terms related to geological context. See Section 2.7.6 of the Darwin Core RDF Guide for details.
Examples
establishmentMeans
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/establishmentMeans
DefinitionStatement about whether a dwc:Organism has been introduced to a given place and time through the direct or indirect activity of modern humans.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use IRIs from the controlled vocabulary designated for use with this term, listed at http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/doc/em/. For details, refer to https://doi.org/10.3897/biss.3.38084 . Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
eventType
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/eventType
DefinitionThe nature of the dwc:Event.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Regardless of the dwc:eventType, the interval of the dwc:Event can be captured in dwc:eventDate. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
fieldNotes
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/fieldNotes
DefinitionOne of a) an indicator of the existence of, b) a reference to (publication, URI), or c) the text of notes taken in the field about the dwc:Event.
CommentsThe subject is a dwc:Event instance and the object is a (possibly IRI-identified) resource that is the field notes.
Examples
fieldNumber
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/fieldNumber
DefinitionAn identifier given to the event in the field. Often serves as a link between field notes and the dwc:Event.
CommentsThe subject is a (possibly IRI-identified) resource that is the field notes and the object is a dwc:Event instance.
Examples
footprintSRS
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/footprintSRS
DefinitionThe ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which the geometry given in dwc:footprintWKT is based.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
footprintWKT
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/footprintWKT
DefinitionA Well-Known Text (WKT) representation of the shape (footprint, geometry) that defines the dcterms:Location. A dcterms:Location may have both a point-radius representation (see dwc:decimalLatitude) and a footprint representation, and they may differ from each other.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
fromLithostratigraphicUnit
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/fromLithostratigraphicUnit
DefinitionUse to link a dwc:GeologicalContext instance to an IRI-identified lithostratigraphic unit at the lowest possible level in a hierarchy.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use an IRI from a controlled vocabulary. A "convenience property" that replaces Darwin Core literal-value terms related to geological context. See Section 2.7.7 of the Darwin Core RDF Guide for details.
Examples
geodeticDatum
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/geodeticDatum
DefinitionThe ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which the geographic coordinates given in dwc:decimalLatitude and dwc:decimalLongitude is based.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use an IRI for the EPSG code of the SRS, if known. Otherwise use an IRI or controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the geodetic datum, if known. Otherwise use an IRI or controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the ellipsoid, if known. If none of these is known, use the value unknown.
Exampleshttps://epsg.io/4326
georeferenceProtocol
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/georeferenceProtocol
DefinitionA description or reference to the methods used to determine the spatial footprint, coordinates, and uncertainties.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
georeferenceSources
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/georeferenceSources
DefinitionA map, gazetteer, or other resource used to georeference the dcterms:Location.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
georeferenceVerificationStatus
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/georeferenceVerificationStatus
DefinitionA categorical description of the extent to which the georeference has been verified to represent the best possible spatial description for the dcterms:Location of the dwc:Occurrence.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
habitat
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/habitat
DefinitionA category or description of the habitat in which the dwc:Event occurred.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
identificationQualifier
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/identificationQualifier
DefinitionA controlled value to express the determiner's doubts about the dwc:Identification.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
identificationVerificationStatus
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/identificationVerificationStatus
DefinitionA categorical indicator of the extent to which the taxonomic identification has been verified to be correct.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects. Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as that used in HISPID and ABCD.
Examples
inDataset
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/inDataset
DefinitionUse to link a subject dataset record to the dataset which contains it.
CommentsA string literal name of the dataset can be provided using the term dwc:datasetName. See the Darwin Core RDF Guide for details.
Examples
informationWithheld
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/informationWithheld
DefinitionAdditional information that exists, but that has not been shared in the given record.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
latestGeochronologicalEra
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/latestGeochronologicalEra
DefinitionUse to link a dwc:GeologicalContext instance to chronostratigraphic time periods at the lowest possible level in a standardized hierarchy. Use this property to point to the latest possible geological time period from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use an IRI from a controlled vocabulary. A "convenience property" that replaces Darwin Core literal-value terms related to geological context. See Section 2.7.6 of the Darwin Core RDF Guide for details.
Examples
lifeStage
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/lifeStage
DefinitionThe age class or life stage of the dwc:Organism(s) at the time the dwc:Occurrence was recorded.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
locationAccordingTo
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/locationAccordingTo
DefinitionInformation about the source of this dcterms:Location information. Could be a publication (gazetteer), institution, or team of individuals.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
measurementDeterminedBy
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/measurementDeterminedBy
DefinitionA person, group, or organization who determined the value of the dwc:MeasurementOrFact.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
measurementMethod
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/measurementMethod
DefinitionThe method or protocol used to determine the measurement, fact, characteristic, or assertion.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
measurementType
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/measurementType
DefinitionThe nature of the measurement, fact, characteristic, or assertion.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
measurementUnit
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/measurementUnit
DefinitionThe units associated with the dwc:measurementValue.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Ontology of Units of Measure http://www.wurvoc.org/vocabularies/om-1.8/ of SI units, derived units, or other non-SI units accepted for use within the SI.
Examples
measurementValue
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/measurementValue
DefinitionThe value of the measurement, fact, characteristic, or assertion.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Exampleshttp://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/L22/current/TOOL0960/
occurrenceStatus
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/occurrenceStatus
DefinitionA statement about the presence or absence of a dwc:Taxon at a dcterms:Location.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
organismQuantityType
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/organismQuantityType
DefinitionThe type of quantification system used for the quantity of organisms.
CommentsA dwc:organismQuantityType must have a corresponding dwc:organismQuantity.
Examples
pathway
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/pathway
DefinitionThe process by which a dwc:Organism came to be in a given place at a given time.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use IRIs from the controlled vocabulary designated for use with this term, listed at http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/doc/pw/. For details, refer to https://doi.org/10.3897/biss.3.38084 . Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
preparations
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/preparations
DefinitionA preparation or preservation method for a specimen.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
recordNumber
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/recordNumber
DefinitionAn identifier given to the dwc:Occurrence at the time it was recorded. Often serves as a link between field notes and a dwc:Occurrence record, such as a specimen collector's number.
CommentsThe subject is a dwc:Occurrence and the object is a (possibly IRI-identified) resource that is the field notes.
Examples
reproductiveCondition
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/reproductiveCondition
DefinitionThe reproductive condition of the biological individual(s) represented in the dwc:Occurrence.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
sampleSizeUnit
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/sampleSizeUnit
DefinitionThe unit of measurement of the size (time duration, length, area, or volume) of a sample in a sampling dwc:Event.
CommentsA dwciri:sampleSizeUnit must have a corresponding dwc:sampleSizeValue. Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Ontology of Units of Measure http://www.wurvoc.org/vocabularies/om-1.8/ of SI units, derived units, or other non-SI units accepted for use within the SI.
Examples
samplingProtocol
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/samplingProtocol
DefinitionThe methods or protocols used during a dwc:Event, denoted by an IRI.
CommentsRecommended best practice is describe a dwc:Event with no more than one sampling protocol. In the case of a summary dwc:Event in which a specific protocol can not be attributed to specific dwc:Occurrences, the recommended best practice is to repeat the property for each IRI that denotes a different sampling protocol that applies to the dwc:Occurrence.
Exampleshttps://doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-8238.2009.00467.x
sex
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/sex
DefinitionThe sex of the biological individual(s) represented in the dwc:Occurrence.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
typeStatus
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/typeStatus
DefinitionA nomenclatural type (type status, typified scientific name, publication) applied to the subject.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
verbatimCoordinateSystem
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/verbatimCoordinateSystem
DefinitionThe spatial coordinate system for the dwc:verbatimLatitude and dwc:verbatimLongitude or the dwc:verbatimCoordinates of the dcterms:Location.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
verbatimSRS
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/verbatimSRS
DefinitionThe ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which coordinates given in dwc:verbatimLatitude and dwc:verbatimLongitude, or dwc:verbatimCoordinates are based.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use an IRI for the EPSG code of the SRS, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary IRI for the name or code of the geodetic datum, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary IRI for the name or code of the ellipsoid, if known.
Examples
verticalDatum
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/verticalDatum
DefinitionThe vertical datum used as the reference upon which the values in the elevation terms are based.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
vitality
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/vitality
DefinitionAn indication of whether a dwc:Organism was alive or dead at the time of collection or observation.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. Intended to be used with records having a dwc:basisOfRecord of PreservedSpecimen, MaterialEntity, MaterialSample, or HumanObservation. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples

LivingSpecimen

LivingSpecimen Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/LivingSpecimen
DefinitionA specimen that is alive.
Comments
Examples
  • a living plant in a botanical garden
  • a living animal in a zoo

PreservedSpecimen

PreservedSpecimen Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/PreservedSpecimen
DefinitionA specimen that has been preserved.
Comments
Examples
  • a plant on an herbarium sheet
  • a cataloged lot of fish in a jar

FossilSpecimen

FossilSpecimen Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/FossilSpecimen
DefinitionA preserved specimen that is a fossil.
Comments
Examples
  • a body fossil
  • a coprolite
  • a gastrolith
  • an ichnofossil
  • a piece of a petrified tree

MaterialCitation

MaterialCitation Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/MaterialCitation
DefinitionA reference to or citation of one, a part of, or multiple specimens in scholarly publications.
CommentsThis class constitutes a new value for the controlled vocabulary in the recommendations for basisOfRecord. When importing Darwin Core Archives of literature-based datasets to GBIF, the basisOfRecord should be changed from "Occurrence", "PreservedSpecimen" or "Literature" to "MaterialCitation".
Examples
  • a citation of a physical specimen from a scientific collection in a taxonomic treatment in a scientific publication
  • a citation of a group of physical specimens, such as paratypes in a taxonomic treatment in a scientific publication

HumanObservation

HumanObservation Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/HumanObservation
DefinitionAn output of a human observation process.
Comments
Examples
  • evidence of a dwc:Occurrence taken from field notes or literature
  • a record of a dwc:Occurrence without physical evidence or evidence captured with a machine

MachineObservation

MachineObservation Class
Identifierhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/MachineObservation
DefinitionAn output of a machine observation process.
Comments
Examples
  • a photograph
  • a video
  • an audio recording
  • a remote sensing image
  • a dwc:Occurrence record based on telemetry

Cite Darwin Core

To cite Darwin Core in general, use the peer-reviewed article on Darwin Core:

Wieczorek J, Bloom D, Guralnick R, Blum S, Döring M, et al. (2012) Darwin Core: An Evolving Community-Developed Biodiversity Data Standard. PLoS ONE 7(1): e29715. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0029715

To cite the standard document upon which this page is built, use the following:

Darwin Core Maintenance Group. 2021. List of Darwin Core terms. Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG). http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/doc/list/

To cite this document specifically, use the following:

Darwin Core Maintenance Group. 2021. Darwin Core Quick Reference Guide. Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG). https://dwc.tdwg.org/terms/