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.

Esta página no forma parte del estándar, pero combina los nombres y definiciones de los términos normativos con los comentarios y ejemplos no normativos que están destinados a ayudar a las personas a utilizar los términos de forma coherente. 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
Identificadorhttp://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/type
DefinitionLa naturaleza o género del recurso.
CommentsDebe completarse con un valor del vocabulario de tipo DCMI (https://www.dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-type-vocabulary/2010-10-11/).
Examples
  • StillImage
  • MovingImage
  • Sound
  • PhysicalObject
  • Event
  • Text
modified
Identificadorhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/modified
DefinitionFecha en la que se modificó el recurso.
CommentsBuena práctica recomendad es usar una fecha conforme con ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples
  • 1963-03-08T14:07-06:00 (8 de marzo de 1963 a partir de las 2:07 p. m. y antes de las 2:08 p. m. en la zona horaria seis horas anterior a UTC)
  • 2009-02-20T08:40Z (20 de febrero de 2009 a partir de las 8:40 a. m. y antes de las 8:41 UTC)
  • 2018-08-29T15:19 (29 de agosto de 2018 a partir de las 3:19 p. m. y antes de las 3:20 p. m. hora local)
  • 1809-02-12 (dentro del día 12 de febrero de 1809)
  • 1906-06 (en el mes de junio de 1906)
  • 1971 (en el año 1971)
  • 2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z (en algún momento dentro del intervalo que comienza el 1 de marzo de 2007 a la 1 p. m. UTC y antes del 11 de mayo de 2008 a las 3:30 p. m. UTC)
  • 1900/1909 (en algún momento dentro del intervalo entre principios del año 1900 y antes del año 1909)
  • 2007-11-13/15 (en algún momento en el intervalo entre principios del 13 de noviembre de 2007 y antes del 15 de noviembre de 2007)
language
Identificadorhttp://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/language
DefinitionUn idioma del recurso.
CommentsBuena práctica recomendada es usar un vocabulario controlado como RFC 5646. Este término tiene una equivalencia en el dcterms:namespace que permite solo un IRI como valor, mientras que este término permite cualquier valor de literal de string.
Examples
  • en (para Inglés)
  • es (para Español)
license
Identificadorhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/license
DefinitionUn documento legal dando permiso oficial para hacer algo con el recurso.
Comments
Examples
rightsHolder
Identificadorhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/rightsHolder
DefinitionUna persona u organización dueña o gerente de derechos sobre el recurso.
Comments
ExamplesThe Regents of the University of California
accessRights
Identificadorhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/accessRights
DefinitionInformación sobre quién puede acceder al recurso o una indicación de su estado de seguridad.
CommentsDerechos de Acceso puede incluir información acerca del acceso o restricciones basadas en privacidad, seguridad u otras políticas.
Examples
bibliographicCitation
Identificadorhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/bibliographicCitation
DefinitionUna referencia bibliográfica del recurso.
CommentsDesde Dublin Core, "Práctica recomendada es incluir suficientes detalles biobliográficos para identificar el recurso evitando toda posible ambiguedad" [traducción libre]. El uso previsto de este término en Darwin Core es proveer la forma preferente para citar lo recursos en sí mismos - "cómo citar este registro". Notar que el uso previsto de dcterms:references en Darwin Core, en contraste, es para señalar la definitiva representación de la fuente del recurso - "dónde encontrar la referencia más cercana a la original", si ésta está disponible.
Examples
references
Identificadorhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/references
DefinitionUn recurso relacionado que es referenciado, citado o señalado de alguna forma por el recurso descrito.
CommentsDesde Dublin Core, "La propiedad es prevista para ser usada con valores no literales. Esta propiedad es una propiedad inversa de Is Referenced By" [tradución libre]. El uso previsto de este término en Darwin Core es señalar el representación definitiva de la fuente del recurso (por ejemplo: dwc:Taxon, dwc:Occurrence, dwc:Event), si alguno está disponible. Notar que el uso previsto del término dcterms:bibliographicCitation en Darwin Core, en contraste, es para proveer la forma predilecta para citar el recurso en sí mismo.
Examples
feedbackURL
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/feedbackURL
DefinitionUn localizador uniforme de recursos (URL) que apunta a una página web en la que se puede enviar un formulario para recopilar comentarios sobre el registro.
CommentsLa mejor práctica recomendada es incluir opcionalmente cadenas de consulta que actúen para rellenar previamente los elementos del formulario de la página web y comunicar el contexto.
Exampleshttps://example.com/new?title=New+issue&body=This+comment+is+about+CAN12345
institutionID
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/institutionID
DefinitionAn identifier for the institution having custody of the object(s) or information referred to in the record.
CommentsPara los especímenes físicos, la mejor práctica recomendada es utilizar un identificador único y resoluble globalmente de un registro de colecciones, como el Registro de Organizaciones de Investigación (ROR) o el Registro Global de Colecciones Científicas (https://scientific-collections.gbif.org/)
Examples
collectionID
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/collectionID
DefinitionAn identifier for the collection or dataset from which the record was derived.
CommentsPara los especímenes físicos, la mejor práctica recomendada es utilizar un identificador único y resoluble a nivel global de un registro de colecciones, como el Registro Global de Colecciones Científicas (https://scientific-collections.gbif.org/).
Exampleshttps://scientific-collections.gbif.org/collection/fbd3ed74-5a21-4e01-b86a-33d36f032d9c
datasetID
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/individualCount
DefinitionThe number of individuals present at the time of the dwc:Occurrence.
Comments
Examples
  • 0
  • 1
  • 25
organismQuantity
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/occurrenceRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes about the dwc:Occurrence.
Comments
Examplesfound dead on road

Organism

Organism Class
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
causeOfDeath
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/causeOfDeath
DefinitionUna indicación de la causa conocida o sospechada de muerte de un dwc:Organism.
CommentsLa causa puede deberse a causas naturales (por ejemplo, enfermedades, depredación), actividades humanas (por ejemplo, atropellos, contaminación) u otros factores ambientales (por ejemplo, fenómenos meteorológicos extremos).
Examples
  • trap
  • poison
  • starvation
  • drowning
  • shooting
  • old age
  • vehicle collision
  • disease
  • herbicide
  • burning
  • infanticide
associatedOrganisms
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes about the dwc:Organism instance.
Comments
ExamplesOne of a litter of six

MaterialEntity

MaterialEntity Class
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
digitalSpecimenID
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/digitalSpecimenID
DefinitionUn identificador para una instancia particular de un Espécimen Digital.
CommentsUn Espécimen Digital se define en https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.7.e67379. Un dwc:digitalSpecimenID tiene como objetivo identificar de forma única y persistente un espécimen digital. Se recomienda utilizar un DOI con metadatos legibles por máquina en el registro DOI que utilice un perfil de metadatos acordado por la comunidad (también conocido como perfil FDO) para un espécimen digital. Para un ejemplo, consulte: https://doi.org/10.3535/N75-CR4-0SM?noredirect. El identificador corresponde a un artefacto de información digital (el Espécimen Digital), a diferencia de un identificador para una instancia específica de un dwc:MaterialEntity.
Examples
materialEntityType
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/materialEntityType
DefinitionUna categoría que mejor coincide con la naturaleza de un dwc:MaterialEntity.
CommentsUna clasificación más genérica de una dwc:MaterialEntity que dwc:preparations. Se recomienda usar un vocabulario controlado. Este término tiene un equivalente en el espacio de nombres dwciri: que solo permite un valor de IRI, mientras que este término permite cualquier valor literal de cadena.
Examples
  • Macro-object
  • Micro-object
  • Oversized object
  • Cut/polished gemstone
  • Compound Specimen
  • Core
  • Mixed Materials
  • Environmental sample
  • Microscope slide
  • Spore print
  • Macrofossil
  • Mesofossil
  • Microfossil
  • Pinned object/specimen
  • Taxidermy mount
  • Blood sampling cards
  • Oversized fossil
  • Anthropogenic Artifact
discipline
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/discipline
DefinitionLa rama o ramas principales del conocimiento representadas por el registro.
CommentsEste término se puede usar para clasificar registros según ramas de conocimiento. Se recomienda usar un vocabulario controlado y separar los valores de una lista con espacio ( | ). Este término tiene un equivalente en el espacio de nombres dwciri: que solo permite un valor de IRI, mientras que este término permite cualquier valor literal de cadena. También se recomienda usar este campo para describir el tipo de muestra en MIDS.
Examples
  • Botany
  • Botany | Virology | Taxonomy
preparations
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/preparations
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of preparations and preservation methods for a dwc:MaterialEntity.
CommentsLa práctica recomendada es separar los valores de una lista con espacio ( | ). Este término tiene un equivalente en el espacio de nombres dwciri:, que solo permite un IRI como valor, mientras que este término permite cualquier valor literal de cadena.
Examples
  • fossil
  • cast
  • photograph
  • DNA extract
  • skin | skull | skeleton
  • whole animal (EtOH) | tissue (EDTA)
disposition
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
projectTitle
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/projectTitle
DefinitionUna lista (concatenada y separada) de títulos o nombres de proyectos que contribuyeron a un dwc:Event.
CommentsUtilice este término para indicar el nombre o título oficial de un proyecto, tal como se conoce y cita comúnmente. Evite las abreviaturas a menos que sean ampliamente comprensibles. Se recomienda separar los valores de una lista con espacio ( | ).
Examples
  • The Nansen Legacy
  • Scalidophora i Noreg
  • Arctic Deep
projectID
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/projectID
DefinitionUna lista (concatenada y separada) de identificadores de proyectos que contribuyeron a un dwc:Event.
CommentsUn projectID puede compartirse en varios conjuntos de datos distintos. La naturaleza de la asociación puede describirse en el elemento de descripción del proyecto de metadatos. Este término debe utilizarse para proporcionar un identificador único global (GUID) para un proyecto, si está disponible. Este podría ser un DOI, un URI o cualquier otro identificador persistente que garantice que un proyecto se distinga de otros. La práctica recomendada es separar los valores de una lista con espacio ( | ).
Examples
fundingAttribution
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/ac/terms/fundingAttribution
DefinitionDescripción textual de las organizaciones o personas que financiaron la creación del recurso.
CommentsEspecifique el nombre oficial completo de la entidad financiadora. Debe incluir el nombre completo sin abreviaturas, a menos que la abreviatura sea una forma oficial y comúnmente reconocida (por ejemplo, NSF para la Fundación Nacional de Ciencias). Se recomienda separar los valores en una lista con espacio ( | ).
Examples
  • Norges forskningsråd
  • Artsdatabanken
  • Ocean Census | Nippon Foundation
fundingAttributionID
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/fundingAttributionID
DefinitionUna lista (concatenada y separada) de los identificadores únicos globales de las organizaciones o agencias de financiamiento que apoyaron el proyecto.
CommentsProporcione un identificador único para el organismo financiador, como un identificador utilizado en bases de datos gubernamentales o internacionales. Si no existe un identificador oficial, utilice un identificador único y persistente dentro de su organización o conjunto de datos. Se recomienda separar los valores de una lista con espacio ( | ).
Examples
eventDate
Identificadorhttp://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
  • 1963-03-08T14:07-06:00 (8 de marzo de 1963 a partir de las 2:07 p. m. y antes de las 2:08 p. m. en la zona horaria seis horas anterior a UTC)
  • 2009-02-20T08:40Z (20 de febrero de 2009 a partir de las 8:40 a. m. y antes de las 8:41 UTC)
  • 2018-08-29T15:19 (29 de agosto de 2018 a partir de las 3:19 p. m. y antes de las 3:20 p. m. hora local)
  • 1809-02-12 (dentro del día 12 de febrero de 1809)
  • 1906-06 (en el mes de junio de 1906)
  • 1971 (en el año 1971)
  • 2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z (en algún momento dentro del intervalo que comienza el 1 de marzo de 2007 a la 1 p. m. UTC y antes del 11 de mayo de 2008 a las 3:30 p. m. UTC)
  • 1900/1909 (en algún momento dentro del intervalo entre principios del año 1900 y antes del año 1909)
  • 2007-11-13/15 (en algún momento en el intervalo entre principios del 13 de noviembre de 2007 y antes del 15 de noviembre de 2007)
eventTime
Identificadorhttp://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
  • 14:07-06:00 (a las 14:07 o después y antes de las 14:08 en la zona horaria seis horas anterior a UTC)
  • 08:40:21Z (a las 08:40:21 o después y antes de las 08:41:22 UTC)
  • 13:00:00Z/15:30:00Z (a las 13:00 o después y antes de las 15:30 UTC)
startDayOfYear
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/month
DefinitionThe integer month in which the dwc:Event occurred.
Comments
Examples
  • 1 (January)
  • 10 (October)
day
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/day
DefinitionThe integer day of the month on which the dwc:Event occurred.
Comments
Examples
  • 9
  • 28
verbatimEventDate
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/Location
DefinitionUna región espacial o lugar mencionado.
Comments
Examples
  • the municipality of San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
  • the place defined by a georeference
locationID
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/countryCode
DefinitionThe standard code for the country in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
CommentsLa mejor práctica recomendada es utilizar un código de país ISO 3166-1-alpha-2, o "ZZ" (para una ubicación desconocida o una ubicación no asignable a un solo código de país), o "XZ" (para alta mar más allá de las jurisdicciones nacionales).
Examples
  • AR
  • SV
  • XZ
  • ZZ
stateProvince
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimLocality
DefinitionThe original textual description of the place.
Comments
Examples25 km NNE Bariloche por R. Nac. 237
minimumElevationInMeters
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
  • not recorded
minimumDepthInMeters
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimDepth
DefinitionThe original description of the depth below the local surface.
Comments
Examples100-200 m
minimumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/locationRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes about the dcterms:Location.
Comments
Examplesunder water since 2005
decimalLatitude
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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.
CommentsSe recomienda usar el código EPSG del SRS, si se conoce. De lo contrario, utilice un vocabulario controlado para el nombre o código del datum geodésico, si se conoce. De lo contrario, utilice un vocabulario controlado para el nombre o código del elipsoide, si se conoce. Si no se conoce ninguno de estos, utilice el valor no registrado. Este término tiene un equivalente en el espacio de nombres dwciri: que solo permite un IRI como valor, mientras que este término permite un valor literal de cadena.
Examples
  • EPSG:4326
  • WGS84
  • NAD27
  • Campo Inchauspe
  • European 1950
  • Clarke 1866
  • not recorded
coordinateUncertaintyInMeters
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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.
CommentsSe recomienda usar el código EPSG del SRS, si se conoce. De lo contrario, utilice un vocabulario controlado para el nombre o código del datum geodésico, si se conoce. De lo contrario, utilice un vocabulario controlado para el nombre o código del elipsoide, si se conoce. Si no se conoce ninguno de estos, utilice el valor no registrado. Este término tiene un equivalente en el espacio de nombres dwciri: que solo permite un IRI como valor, mientras que este término permite cualquier valor literal de cadena.
Examples
  • EPSG:4326
  • WGS84
  • NAD27
  • Campo Inchauspe
  • European 1950
  • Clarke 1866
  • not recorded
footprintWKT
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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.
CommentsLa mejor práctica recomendada es usar el código EPSG del SRS, si se conoce. De lo contrario, use un vocabulario controlado para el nombre o código del datum geodésico, si se conoce. De lo contrario, use un vocabulario controlado para el nombre o código del elipsoide, si se conoce. Si no se conoce ninguno de estos, use el valor no registrado. También se permite proporcionar el SRS en Well-Known-Text, especialmente si ningún código EPSG proporciona los valores necesarios para los atributos del SRS. No use este término para describir el SRS de dwc:decimalLatitude y dwc:decimalLongitude, ni de ninguna coordenada textual; use dwc:geodeticDatum y dwc:verbatimSRS en su lugar. Este término tiene un equivalente en el espacio de nombres dwciri: que solo permite un IRI como valor, mientras que este término permite cualquier valor literal de cadena.
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 para el Sistema de Referencia Espacial WGS84 estándar EPSG:4326)
  • no registrado
footprintSpatialFit
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
  • 1963-03-08T14:07-06:00 (8 de marzo de 1963 a partir de las 2:07 p. m. y antes de las 2:08 p. m. en la zona horaria seis horas anterior a UTC)
  • 2009-02-20T08:40Z (20 de febrero de 2009 a partir de las 8:40 a. m. y antes de las 8:41 UTC)
  • 2018-08-29T15:19 (29 de agosto de 2018 a partir de las 3:19 p. m. y antes de las 3:20 p. m. hora local)
  • 1809-02-12 (dentro del día 12 de febrero de 1809)
  • 1906-06 (en el mes de junio de 1906)
  • 1971 (en el año 1971)
  • 2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z (en algún momento dentro del intervalo que comienza el 1 de marzo de 2007 a la 1 p. m. UTC y antes del 11 de mayo de 2008 a las 3:30 p. m. UTC)
  • 1900/1909 (en algún momento dentro del intervalo entre principios del año 1900 y antes del año 1909)
  • 2007-11-13/15 (en algún momento en el intervalo entre principios del 13 de noviembre de 2007 y antes del 15 de noviembre de 2007)
georeferenceProtocol
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferenceRemarks
DefinitionComentarios o notas sobre la determinación de la descripción espacial, explicando los supuestos realizados en adición o en oposición a los formalizados en el método mencionado en dwc:georeferenceProtocol.
Comments
ExamplesAssumed distance by road (Hwy. 101)

GeologicalContext

GeologicalContext Class
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/GeologicalContext
DefinitionGeological information, such as stratigraphy, that qualifies a region or place.
Comments
Examplesa lithostratigraphic layer
geologicalContextID
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/lithostratigraphicTerms
DefinitionLa combinación de todos los nombres litoestratigráficos de la roca de la que se colectó dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments
ExamplesPleistocene-Weichselien
group
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
typifiedName
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/typifiedName
DefinitionUn nombre científico que se basa en un espécimen tipo.
CommentsLa mejor práctica recomendada también es indicar el dwc:typeStatus de la muestra.
ExamplesPolysiphonia amphibolis Womersley
identifiedBy
Identificadorhttp://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.
CommentsCuando se utiliza en el contexto de un evento (como en la Extensión Humboldt), el sujeto consta de todos los dwc:Organisms relacionados con el evento. Se recomienda separar los valores de una lista con espacio ( | ). Este término tiene un equivalente en el espacio de nombres dwciri: que solo permite un IRI como valor, mientras que este término permite cualquier valor literal de cadena.
ExamplesJames L. Patton| Theodore Pappenfuss | Robert Macey
identifiedByID
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
  • 1963-03-08T14:07-06:00 (8 de marzo de 1963 a partir de las 2:07 p. m. y antes de las 2:08 p. m. en la zona horaria seis horas anterior a UTC)
  • 2009-02-20T08:40Z (20 de febrero de 2009 a partir de las 8:40 a. m. y antes de las 8:41 UTC)
  • 2018-08-29T15:19 (29 de agosto de 2018 a partir de las 3:19 p. m. y antes de las 3:20 p. m. hora local)
  • 1809-02-12 (dentro del día 12 de febrero de 1809)
  • 1906-06 (en el mes de junio de 1906)
  • 1971 (en el año 1971)
  • 2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z (en algún momento dentro del intervalo que comienza el 1 de marzo de 2007 a la 1 p. m. UTC y antes del 11 de mayo de 2008 a las 3:30 p. m. UTC)
  • 1900/1909 (en algún momento dentro del intervalo entre principios del año 1900 y antes del año 1909)
  • 2007-11-13/15 (en algún momento en el intervalo entre principios del 13 de noviembre de 2007 y antes del 15 de noviembre de 2007)
identificationReferences
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identificationReferences
DefinitionA list (concatenated and separated) of references (publication, global unique identifier, URI) used in the dwc:Identification.
CommentsCuando se utiliza en el contexto de un evento (como en la Extensión Humboldt), el sujeto incluye todos los dwc:Organisms relacionados con el evento. Se recomienda separar los valores de una lista con espacio ( | ).
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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/acceptedNameUsage
DefinitionEl nombre completo, con autoría e información de fecha si se conoce, del taxón actualmente válido (zoológico) o aceptado (botánico) dwc:Taxon.
CommentsEl nombre científico completo, con información sobre la autoría y la fecha si se conoce, del nombre aceptado (botánico) o válido (zoológico) en los casos en que el dwc:scientificName proporcionado se considera, por la referencia indicada en la propiedad dwc:nameAccordingTo, o del proveedor de contenido, un sinónimo o un nombre mal aplicado. Cuando se aplica a un dwc:Organism o dwc:Occurrence, este término debe usarse en los casos en que un proveedor de contenido considera que el dwc:scientificName proporcionado es inconsistente con la perspectiva taxonómica del proveedor de contenido. Por ejemplo, existen muchas discrepancias dentro de las colecciones de especímenes y los conjuntos de datos de observación entre el nombre registrado (p. ej., la identificación más reciente de un experto que examinó un espécimen, o una identificación de campo para un dwc:Organism observado) y el nombre que el proveedor de contenido afirma que es taxonómicamente aceptado.
ExamplesTamias minimus (valid name for Eutamias minimus)
parentNameUsage
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/namePublishedInYear
DefinitionThe four-digit year in which the dwc:scientificName was published.
Comments
Examples
  • 1915
  • 2008
higherClassification
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/subgenus
DefinitionEl nombre científico completo del subgénero en el que se clasifica el dwc:Taxon.
CommentsUn valor para este término debe ser un nombre de subgénero completo según lo requiera el código de nomenclatura apropiado.
Examples
  • Abacetus (Parastygis)
  • Dicranum subgen. Orthodicranum
infragenericEpithet
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/specificEpithet
DefinitionThe name of the first or species epithet of the dwc:scientificName.
Comments
Examples
  • concolor
  • gottschei
infraspecificEpithet
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/vernacularName
DefinitionA common or vernacular name.
Comments
Examples
  • Andean Condor
  • Condor Andino
  • American Eagle
  • Gänsegeier
nomenclaturalCode
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
verbatimMeasurementType
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimMeasurementType
DefinitionUna cadena que representa el tipo de medición o hecho tal como apareció en el registro original.
CommentsEste término permite capturar el nombre original inalterado de un tipo de medida o hecho. Debe utilizarse junto con dwc:measurementType, no en su lugar.
Examples
  • water_temp
  • Fish biomass
  • sampling net mesh size
measurementValue
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
  • 1963-03-08T14:07-06:00 (8 de marzo de 1963 a partir de las 2:07 p. m. y antes de las 2:08 p. m. en la zona horaria seis horas anterior a UTC)
  • 2009-02-20T08:40Z (20 de febrero de 2009 a partir de las 8:40 a. m. y antes de las 8:41 UTC)
  • 2018-08-29T15:19 (29 de agosto de 2018 a partir de las 3:19 p. m. y antes de las 3:20 p. m. hora local)
  • 1809-02-12 (dentro del día 12 de febrero de 1809)
  • 1906-06 (en el mes de junio de 1906)
  • 1971 (en el año 1971)
  • 2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z (en algún momento dentro del intervalo que comienza el 1 de marzo de 2007 a la 1 p. m. UTC y antes del 11 de mayo de 2008 a las 3:30 p. m. UTC)
  • 1900/1909 (en algún momento dentro del intervalo entre principios del año 1900 y antes del año 1909)
  • 2007-11-13/15 (en algún momento en el intervalo entre principios del 13 de noviembre de 2007 y antes del 15 de noviembre de 2007)
measurementMethod
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementRemarks
DefinitionComments or notes accompanying the dwc:MeasurementOrFact.
Comments
Examplestip of tail missing

ResourceRelationship

ResourceRelationship Class
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relationshipAccordingTo
DefinitionThe source (person, organization, publication, reference) establishing the relationship between the two resources.
Comments
ExamplesJulie Woodruff
relationshipEstablishedDate
Identificadorhttp://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
  • 1963-03-08T14:07-06:00 (8 de marzo de 1963 a partir de las 2:07 p. m. y antes de las 2:08 p. m. en la zona horaria seis horas anterior a UTC)
  • 2009-02-20T08:40Z (20 de febrero de 2009 a partir de las 8:40 a. m. y antes de las 8:41 UTC)
  • 2018-08-29T15:19 (29 de agosto de 2018 a partir de las 3:19 p. m. y antes de las 3:20 p. m. hora local)
  • 1809-02-12 (dentro del día 12 de febrero de 1809)
  • 1906-06 (en el mes de junio de 1906)
  • 1971 (en el año 1971)
  • 2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z (en algún momento dentro del intervalo que comienza el 1 de marzo de 2007 a la 1 p. m. UTC y antes del 11 de mayo de 2008 a las 3:30 p. m. UTC)
  • 1900/1909 (en algún momento dentro del intervalo entre principios del año 1900 y antes del año 1909)
  • 2007-11-13/15 (en algún momento en el intervalo entre principios del 13 de noviembre de 2007 y antes del 15 de noviembre de 2007)
relationshipRemarks
Identificadorhttp://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.

behavior
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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.
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. Otherwise use an IRI for the value corresponding to not recorded.
Examples
footprintWKT
Identificadorhttp://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
fundingAttribution
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/fundingAttribution
DefinitionAn organization or agency that provided funding for a project.
CommentsTerms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
fromLithostratigraphicUnit
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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 are based.
CommentsRecommended best practice is to use an IRI for 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 an IRI corresponding to the value not recorded.
Examples
georeferencedBy
Identificadorhttp://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
georeferenceProtocol
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
identifiedBy
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/identifiedBy
DefinitionA person, group, or organization who assigned the dwc:Taxon to the subject.
CommentsWhen used in the context of an Event (such as in the Humboldt Extension), the subject consists of all of the dwc:Organisms related to the Event. Terms in the dwciri namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
Examples
inCollection
Identificadorhttp://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
inDataset
Identificadorhttp://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
inDescribedPlace
Identificadorhttp://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
informationWithheld
Identificadorhttp://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
language
Identificadorhttp://purl.org/dc/terms/language
DefinitionUn idioma del recurso.
CommentsBuena práctica recomendada es usar un IRI desde Library of Congress ISO 639-2 scheme http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/iso639-2
Examples
latestGeochronologicalEra
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
recordedBy
Identificadorhttp://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
recordNumber
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
toDigitalSpecimen
Identificadorhttp://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/toDigitalSpecimen
DefinitionUse to link a dwc:Identification instance subject to a taxonomic entity such as a taxon, taxon concept, or taxon name use.
CommentsUse to link a dwc:MaterialEntity instance subject to a Digital Specimem entity.
Examples
toTaxon
Identificadorhttp://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
typeStatus
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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. Otherwise use an IRI for the value corresponding to not recorded.
Examples
verticalDatum
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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
Identificadorhttp://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. Darwin Core Maintenance Group. 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/