Darwin Core Quick Reference Guide

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

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

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

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

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

record-level

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

type
Identifier	http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/type
Definition	The nature or genre of the resource.
Comments	Must be populated with a value from the DCMI type vocabulary (https://www.dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-type-vocabulary/2010-10-11/).
Examples	`StillImage` `MovingImage` `Sound` `PhysicalObject` `Event` `Text`

modified
Identifier	http://purl.org/dc/terms/modified
Definition	Date on which the resource was changed.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples	`1963-03-08T14:07-06:00` (8 Mar 1963 at or after 2:07pm and before 2:08pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC) `2009-02-20T08:40Z` (20 February 2009 at or after 8:40am and before 8:41 UTC) `2018-08-29T15:19` (29 August 2018 at or after 3:19pm and before 3:20pm local time) `1809-02-12` (within the day 12 February 1809) `1906-06` (in the month of June 1906) `1971` (in the year 1971) `2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z` (some time within the interval beginning 1 March 2007 at 1pm UTC and before 11 May 2008 at 3:30pm UTC) `1900/1909` (some time within the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and before the year 1909) `2007-11-13/15` (some time in the interval between the beginning of 13 November 2007 and before 15 November 2007)

language
Identifier	http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/language
Definition	A language of the resource.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as RFC 5646. This term has an equivalent in the dcterms: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples	`en` (for English) `es` (for Spanish)

license
Identifier	http://purl.org/dc/terms/license
Definition	A legal document giving official permission to do something with the resource.
Comments
Examples	`http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode` `http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode`

rightsHolder
Identifier	http://purl.org/dc/terms/rightsHolder
Definition	A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource.
Comments
Examples	`The Regents of the University of California`

accessRights
Identifier	http://purl.org/dc/terms/accessRights
Definition	Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status.
Comments	Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies.
Examples	`not-for-profit use only` (string literal example) `https://www.fieldmuseum.org/field-museum-natural-history-conditions-and-suggested-norms-use-collections-data-and-images` (URI example)

bibliographicCitation
Identifier	http://purl.org/dc/terms/bibliographicCitation
Definition	A bibliographic reference for the resource.
Comments	From Dublin Core, "Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible." The intended usage of this term in Darwin Core is to provide the preferred way to cite the resource itself - "how to cite this record". Note that the intended usage of dcterms:references in Darwin Core, by contrast, is to point to the definitive source representation of the resource - "where to find the as-close-to-original reference", if one is available.
Examples	`Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, UC Berkeley. MVZ Mammal Collection (Arctos). Record ID: http://arctos.database.museum/guid/MVZ:Mamm:165861?seid=101356. Source: http://ipt.vertnet.org:8080/ipt/resource.do?r=mvz_mammal.` (Occurrence example) `https://www.gbif.org/species/2439608 Source: GBIF Taxonomic Backbone` (Taxon example) `Rand, K.M., Logerwell, E.A. The first demersal trawl survey of benthic fish and invertebrates in the Beaufort Sea since the late 1970s. Polar Biol 34, 475–488 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-010-0900-2` (Event example)

references
Identifier	http://purl.org/dc/terms/references
Definition	A related resource that is referenced, cited, or otherwise pointed to by the described resource.
Comments	From Dublin Core, "This property is intended to be used with non-literal values. This property is an inverse property of Is Referenced By." The intended usage of this term in Darwin Core is to point to the definitive source representation of the resource (e.g., dwc:Taxon, dwc:Occurrence, dwc:Event), if one is available. Note that the intended usage of dcterms:bibliographicCitation in Darwin Core, by contrast, is to provide the preferred way to cite the resource itself.
Examples	`http://arctos.database.museum/guid/MVZ:Mamm:165861` (MaterialEntity example) `https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/32664 (Taxon example)`

associatedMedia
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/associatedMedia
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of identifiers (publication, global unique identifier, URI) of media associated with the dwc:Occurrence.
Comments
Examples	`https://arctos.database.museum/media/10520962 \| https://arctos.database.museum/media/10520964`

associatedReferences
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/associatedReferences
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of identifiers (publication, bibliographic reference, global unique identifier, URI) of literature associated with the dwc:Occurrence.
Comments	Recommended 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.`

feedbackURL
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/feedbackURL
Definition	A uniform resource locator (URL) that points to a webpage on which a form may be submitted to gather feedback about the record.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to optionally include query strings that act to pre-populate web page form elements and communicate the context.
Examples	`https://example.com/new?title=New+issue&body=This+comment+is+about+CAN12345`

institutionID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/institutionID
Definition	An identifier for an organization.
Comments	For physical specimens, the recommended best practice is to use a globally unique and resolvable identifier from a collections registry such as the Research Organization Registry (ROR) or the Global Registry of Scientific Collections (https://scientific-collections.gbif.org/).
Examples	`https://ror.org/015hz7p22` `http://grscicoll.org/institution/museum-southwestern-biology` `https://www.gbif.org/grscicoll/institution/e3d4dcc4-81e2-444c-8a5c-41d1044b5381`

collectionID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/collectionID
Definition	An identifier for a collection.
Comments	For physical specimens, the recommended best practice is to use a globally unique and resolvable identifier from a collections registry such as the Global Registry of Scientific Collections (https://scientific-collections.gbif.org/).
Examples	`https://scientific-collections.gbif.org/collection/fbd3ed74-5a21-4e01-b86a-33d36f032d9c`

datasetID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/datasetID
Definition	An identifier for the set of data. May be a global unique identifier or an identifier specific to a collection or institution.
Comments
Examples	`b15d4952-7d20-46f1-8a3e-556a512b04c5`

institutionCode
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/institutionCode
Definition	A name (or acronym) in use by an institution having custody of a resource.
Comments	The institution having ownership of a resource should be given in dwc:ownerInstitutionCode.
Examples	`MVZ` `FMNH` `CLO` `UCMP` `National Museum of Kenya` `Kew Gardens`

collectionCode
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/collectionCode
Definition	A name, acronym, coden, or initialism identifying a collection.
Comments
Examples	`Mammals` `Hildebrandt` `EBIRD` `VP`

ownerInstitutionCode
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/ownerInstitutionCode
Definition	A name (or acronym) in use by an institution having ownership of a resource.
Comments
Examples	`NPS` `APN` `InBio`

datasetName
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/datasetName
Definition	A name of a source dataset.
Comments
Examples	`Grinnell Resurvey Mammals` `Lacey Ctenomys Recaptures`

basisOfRecord
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/basisOfRecord
Definition	The specific nature of the data record.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/informationWithheld
Definition	Additional information that exists about a resource, but that is not shared publicly. Suggests that alternative data of higher quality may be available on request.
Comments	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	`location information not given for endangered species` `collector identities withheld \| ask about tissue samples`

dataGeneralizations
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/dataGeneralizations
Definition	Actions 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.
Comments	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	`Coordinates generalized from original GPS coordinates to the nearest half degree grid cell`.

dynamicProperties
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/dynamicProperties
Definition	A list of additional measurements, facts, characteristics, or assertions about the record. Meant to provide a mechanism for structured content.
Comments	Recommended 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"}`

Agent

agentID agentType agentRoleOrder agentRemarks

Agent Class
Identifier	http://purl.org/dc/terms/Agent
Definition	A resource that acts or has the power to act.
Comments	A person, group, organization, machine, software or other entity that can act. Membership in the dcterms:Agent class is determined by the capacity to act, even if not doing so in a specific context. To act: To participate in an event or process by contributing through behavior, operation, or an effect resulting from active participation — regardless of whether that contribution is intentional, volitional, or conscious.
Examples	`a person` `a team of participants on an expedition` `a funding agency` `a particular bioacoustic monitoring installation` `a software instance` `a particular camera trap`

agentID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/agentID
Definition	An identifier for a dcterms:Agent.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a globally unique identifier.
Examples

agentType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/agentType
Definition	A category that best matches the nature of a dcterms:Agent.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary.
Examples	`person` `group` `organization` `camera`

agentRoleOrder
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/agentRoleOrder
Definition	A numerical position of an AgentRole in a set of AgentRoles.
Comments	One could use dwc:agentRoleOrder to create an ordered list of collectors (agentRole = 'collector') for a dwc:MaterialEntity in a Darwin Core Data Package, for example. The first would have dwc:agentRoleOrder=1, the second would have dwc:agentRoleOrder=2.
Examples	`1` `2`

agentRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/agentRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about a dcterms:Agent.
Comments
Examples

Assertion

assertionID assertionType verbatimAssertionType assertionValue assertionUnit assertionError assertionBy assertionMadeDate assertionEffectiveDate assertionProtocols assertionReferences assertionRemarks

Assertion Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Assertion
Definition	A statement about an rdfs:Resource (http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#Resource).
Comments	Resources 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`

assertionID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/assertionID
Definition	An identifier for a dwc:Assertion.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a globally unique identifier.
Examples

assertionType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/assertionType
Definition	A category that best matches the nature of a dwc:Assertion.
Comments	Recommended 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	`tailLength` `waterTemperature` `trapLineLength` `surveyArea` `trapType`

verbatimAssertionType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimAssertionType
Definition	A string representing the type of dwc:Assertion as it appeared in an original record.
Comments	This term is meant to allow the capture of an unaltered original name for a dwc:assertionType. This term is meant to be used in addition to dwc:assertionType, not instead of it.
Examples

assertionValue
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/assertionValue
Definition	An asserted value.
Comments	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	`45` `20` `1` `14.5` `UV-light` `Hamon grab`

assertionUnit
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/assertionUnit
Definition	A unit associated with the value in dwc:assertionValue.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Ontology of Units of Measure http://www.ontology-of-units-of-measure.org for SI units, derived units, or other non-SI units accepted for use within the SI. For units that are composed of multiple parts, use the patterns as given in "A Primer for Communicating Mathematics via Plain Text" (https://cse.sc.edu/~fenner/latex-ASCII.pdf) by Stephen Fenner (e.g., `g/cm^3` for grams per cubic centimeter). For other units, provide the value as a recognizable standard (e.g., '%') or written out in full and in the plural (e.g., `individuals`). It is fine to provide non-SI units in the original language of the dataset. 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` `s` `g` `ml` `%` `individuals`

assertionError
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/assertionError
Definition	A description of the potential error associated with a dwc:assertionValue.
Comments
Examples	`0.01` `normal distribution with variation of 2 m`

assertionBy
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/assertionBy
Definition	A name for a dcterms:Agent responsible for making a dwc:Assertion.
Comments	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	`Rob Guralnick` `Peter Desmet \| Stijn Van Hoey` `ChatGPT` `Notes From Nature` `ROV SuBastian`

assertionMadeDate
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/assertionMadeDate
Definition	A date on which a dwc:Assertion was created.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples	`1963-03-08T14:07-06:00` (8 Mar 1963 at or after 2:07pm and before 2:08pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC) `2009-02-20T08:40Z` (20 February 2009 at or after 8:40am and before 8:41 UTC) `2018-08-29T15:19` (29 August 2018 at or after 3:19pm and before 3:20pm local time) `1809-02-12` (within the day 12 February 1809) `1906-06` (in the month of June 1906) `1971` (in the year 1971) `2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z` (some time within the interval beginning 1 March 2007 at 1pm UTC and before 11 May 2008 at 3:30pm UTC) `1900/1909` (some time within the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and before the year 1909) `2007-11-13/15` (some time in the interval between the beginning of 13 November 2007 and before 15 November 2007)

assertionEffectiveDate
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/assertionEffectiveDate
Definition	A date on which a state or measurement of a dwc:Assertion was deemed to first be in effect.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples	`1963-03-08T14:07-06:00` (8 Mar 1963 at or after 2:07pm and before 2:08pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC) `2009-02-20T08:40Z` (20 February 2009 at or after 8:40am and before 8:41 UTC) `2018-08-29T15:19` (29 August 2018 at or after 3:19pm and before 3:20pm local time) `1809-02-12` (within the day 12 February 1809) `1906-06` (in the month of June 1906) `1971` (in the year 1971) `2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z` (some time within the interval beginning 1 March 2007 at 1pm UTC and before 11 May 2008 at 3:30pm UTC) `1900/1909` (some time within the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and before the year 1909) `2007-11-13/15` (some time in the interval between the beginning of 13 November 2007 and before 15 November 2007)

assertionProtocols
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/assertionProtocols
Definition	Names of, references to, or descriptions of dwc:Protocols used in making a dwc:Assertion.
Comments
Examples

assertionReferences
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/assertionReferences
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of dcterms:BibliographicResources associated with a dwc:Assertion.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( `\|` ).
Examples

assertionRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/assertionRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about a dwc:Assertion.
Comments
Examples	`tip of tail missing` `error determined by independently calibrated measurements` `error provided is from the manufacturer’s standard instrument specification`

BibliographicResource

referenceID referenceType referenceRemarks

BibliographicResource Class
Identifier	http://purl.org/dc/terms/BibliographicResource
Definition	A book, article, or other documentary resource.
Comments
Examples

referenceID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/referenceID
Definition	An identifier for a dcterms:BibliographicResource.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a globally unique identifier.
Examples

referenceType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/referenceType
Definition	A category that best matches the nature of a dcterms:BibliographicResource.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary.
Examples	`book`, `bookSection`, `journalArticle`, `thesis` `proceedingsPaper` `report` `poster` `fieldNotebook` `log` `oralCommunication`

referenceRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/referenceRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about a dcterms:BibliographicResource.
Comments
Examples

Event

Event Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Event
Definition	An action, process, or set of circumstances occurring at a dcterms:Location during a period of time.
Comments
Examples	`a material collecting event` `a bird observation` `a camera trap image capture` `an organism occurrence` `a biotic survey`

eventID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/eventID
Definition	An 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
Examples	`INBO:VIS:Ev:00009375`

parentEventID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/parentEventID
Definition	An identifier for a broader dwc:Event that contains this and potentially other dwc:Events.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a globally unique identifier.
Examples	`A1` (parentEventID to identify the main Whittaker Plot in nested samples, each with its own eventID - `A1:1`, `A1:2`).

eventCategory
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/eventCategory
Definition	A broad category that best matches the nature of a dwc:Event.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a limited, tightly controlled vocabulary. Recommended best practice is to use one of the following controlled values: `Event`, `MaterialGathering`, `Occurrence`, `OrganismInteraction`, or `Survey`. 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	`Event` `MaterialGathering` `Occurrence` `OrganismInteraction` `Survey`

eventType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/eventType
Definition	A narrow category that best matches the nature of a dwc:Event.
Comments	Recommended 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	`bioBlitz` `cameraTrapDeployment` `expedition` `project` `siteVisit` `trawl`

fieldNumber
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/fieldNumber
Definition	An identifier given to a dwc:Event in the field.
Comments	Often serves as a link between field notes and a dwc:Event. 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	`RV Sol 87-03-08`

eventDate
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/eventDate
Definition	A date-time or time interval during which a dwc:Event occurred.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019. Not suitable for a time in a geological context.
Examples	`1963-03-08T14:07-06:00` (8 Mar 1963 at or after 2:07pm and before 2:08pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC) `2009-02-20T08:40Z` (20 February 2009 at or after 8:40am and before 8:41 UTC) `2018-08-29T15:19` (29 August 2018 at or after 3:19pm and before 3:20pm local time) `1809-02-12` (within the day 12 February 1809) `1906-06` (in the month of June 1906) `1971` (in the year 1971) `2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z` (some time within the interval beginning 1 March 2007 at 1pm UTC and before 11 May 2008 at 3:30pm UTC) `1900/1909` (some time within the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and before the year 1909) `2007-11-13/15` (some time in the interval between the beginning of 13 November 2007 and before 15 November 2007)

eventTime
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/eventTime
Definition	The time or interval during which a dwc:Event occurred.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a time of day that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples	`14:07-06:00` (at or after 2:07pm and before 2:08pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC) `08:40:21Z` (at or after 8:40:21am and before 8:41:22am UTC) `13:00:00Z/15:30:00Z` (at or after 1pm and before 3:30pm UTC)

startDayOfYear
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/startDayOfYear
Definition	The earliest integer day of the year on which a dwc:Event occurred.
Comments	The value is 1 for January 1 and 365 for December 31, except in a leap year, in which case it is 366.
Examples	`1` (1 January) `32` (1 February) `366` (31 December) `365` (30 December in a leap year, 31 December in a non-leap year)

endDayOfYear
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/endDayOfYear
Definition	The latest integer day of the year on which a dwc:Event occurred.
Comments	The value is 1 for January 1 and 365 for December 31, except in a leap year, in which case it is 366.
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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/year
Definition	The four-digit year in which the dwc:Event occurred, according to the Common Era Calendar.
Comments
Examples	`1160` `2008`

month
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/month
Definition	The integer month in which the dwc:Event occurred.
Comments
Examples	`1` (January) `10` (October)

day
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/day
Definition	The integer day of the month on which the dwc:Event occurred.
Comments
Examples	`9` `28`

verbatimEventDate
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimEventDate
Definition	The verbatim original representation of the date and time information for a dwc:Event.
Comments
Examples	`spring 1910` `Marzo 2002` `1999-03-XX` `17IV1934`

verbatimLocality
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimLocality
Definition	An original textual description of a dcterms:Location.
Comments
Examples	`25 km NNE Bariloche por R. Nac. 237`

verbatimElevation
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimElevation
Definition	An original description of the elevation of a dcterms:Location.
Comments
Examples	`100-200 m`

verbatimDepth
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimDepth
Definition	The original description of the depth below the local surface.
Comments
Examples	`100-200 m`

verbatimCoordinates
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimCoordinates
Definition	Verbatim original spatial coordinates of a dcterms:Location.
Comments	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.
Examples	`41 05 54S 121 05 34W` `17T 630000 4833400`

verbatimLatitude
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimLatitude
Definition	A verbatim original latitude of a dcterms:Location.
Comments	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.
Examples	`41 05 54.03S`

verbatimLongitude
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimLongitude
Definition	A verbatim original longitude of a dcterms:Location.
Comments	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.
Examples	`121d 10' 34" W`

verbatimCoordinateSystem
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimCoordinateSystem
Definition	A coordinate format for dwc:verbatimLatitude and dwc:verbatimLongitude or dwc:verbatimCoordinates.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimSRS
Definition	The ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which coordinates given in dwc:verbatimLatitude and dwc:verbatimLongitude, or dwc:verbatimCoordinates are based.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use the EPSG code of the SRS, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the geodetic datum, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the ellipsoid, if known. If none of these is known, use the value `not recorded`. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples	`EPSG:4326` `WGS84` `NAD27` `Campo Inchauspe` `European 1950` `Clarke 1866` `not recorded`

georeferenceVerificationStatus
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferenceVerificationStatus
Definition	A 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.
Comments	Recommended 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`

habitat
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/habitat
Definition	A category or description of the habitat in which the dwc:Event occurred.
Comments	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	`oak savanna` `pre-cordilleran steppe`

sampledSubstrateCategory
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/sampledSubstrateCategory
Definition	A category or type of substrate sampled during a dwc:Event.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary and 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	`vegetation` `soil` `ocean`

sampledSubstrateLayer
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/sampledSubstrateLayer
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of substrate layers sampled during a dwc:Event.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary and 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	`forest floor` `herbaceous \| shrub` `understory` `canopy` `organic (O)` `surface (A)` `eluviated (E)` `subsoil (B)` `parent material (C)` `bedrock (R)` `epipelagic \| mesopelagic` `bathypelagic` `abysopelagic` `hadalpelagic`

fieldNotes
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/fieldNotes
Definition	One 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.
Comments	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	`Notes available in the Grinnell-Miller Library.`

eventRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/eventRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about the dwc:Event.
Comments
Examples	`After the recent rains the river is nearly at flood stage.`

Location

locationID siteNumber higherGeographyID higherGeography continent waterBody islandGroup island country countryCode stateProvince county municipality locality minimumElevationInMeters maximumElevationInMeters verticalDatum minimumDepthInMeters maximumDepthInMeters minimumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters maximumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters locationAccordingTo locationRemarks preferredSpatialRepresentation decimalLatitude decimalLongitude geodeticDatum coordinateUncertaintyInMeters coordinatePrecision pointRadiusSpatialFit footprintWKT footprintSRS footprintSpatialFit georeferencedBy georeferencedDate georeferenceProtocol georeferenceSources georeferenceRemarks

Location Class
Identifier	http://purl.org/dc/terms/Location
Definition	A spatial region or named place.
Comments
Examples	`the municipality of San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina` `the place defined by a georeference`

locationID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/locationID
Definition	An identifier for a dcterms:Location.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a globally unique identifier.
Examples	`https://opencontext.org/subjects/768A875F-E205-4D0B-DE55-BAB7598D0FD1`

siteNumber
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/siteNumber
Definition	An identifier for a named site.
Comments	Usually an institutional identifier for a specific named place as opposed to dwc:locationID, which is an identifier for the entire set of distinct information for an instance of dcterms:Location. This term differs from dwc:fieldNumber in that dwc:siteNumber is not related strictly to one dwc:Event. 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	`USGS CENO LOC 21387` `UCM 2025001`

higherGeographyID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/higherGeographyID
Definition	An identifier for the geographic region within which the dcterms:Location occurred.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a persistent identifier from a controlled vocabulary such as the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.
Examples	`http://vocab.getty.edu/tgn/1002002` (Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur, Territorio Nacional de la Tierra del Fuego, Argentina).

higherGeography
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/higherGeography
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of geographic names less specific than the information captured in the dwc:locality term.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/continent
Definition	The name of the continent in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/waterBody
Definition	The name of the water body in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/islandGroup
Definition	The name of the island group in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.
Examples	`Alexander Archipelago` `Archipiélago Diego Ramírez` `Seychelles`

island
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/island
Definition	The name of the island on or near which the dcterms:Location occurs.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/country
Definition	The name of the country or major administrative unit in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/countryCode
Definition	The standard code for the country in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use an ISO 3166-1-alpha-2 country code, or 'ZZ' (for an unknown location or a location unassignable to a single country code), or 'XZ' (for the high seas beyond national jurisdictions). Multiplicity and uncertainty of the geographic entity can be captured either in the term dwc:higherGeography or in the term dwc:locality, or both.
Examples	`AR` `SV` `XZ` `ZZ`

stateProvince
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/stateProvince
Definition	The name of the next smaller administrative region than country (state, province, canton, department, region, etc.) in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/county
Definition	The full, unabbreviated name of the next smaller administrative region than stateProvince (county, shire, department, etc.) in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/municipality
Definition	The 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.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/locality
Definition	The specific description of the place.
Comments	Less 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`

minimumElevationInMeters
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/minimumElevationInMeters
Definition	The least elevation within a range of elevations, measured relative to the vertical reference surface indicated by the value of dwc:verticalDatum.
Comments	See https://docs.gbif.org/georeferencing-best-practices/1.0/en/#img-depth-elevation-distance-above-surface.
Examples	`-100` `802`

maximumElevationInMeters
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/maximumElevationInMeters
Definition	The greatest elevation within a range of elevations, measured relative to the vertical reference surface indicated by the value of dwc:verticalDatum.
Comments	See https://docs.gbif.org/georeferencing-best-practices/1.0/en/#img-depth-elevation-distance-above-surface.
Examples	`-205` `1236`

verticalDatum
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verticalDatum
Definition	The vertical datum used as the reference upon which the values in the elevation terms are based.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/minimumDepthInMeters
Definition	The least depth within a range of depths, measured relative to the vertical reference surface indicated by the value of dwc:verticalDatum.
Comments	See https://docs.gbif.org/georeferencing-best-practices/1.0/en/#img-depth-elevation-distance-above-surface.
Examples	`0` `100`

maximumDepthInMeters
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/maximumDepthInMeters
Definition	The greatest depth within a range of depths, measured relative to the vertical reference surface indicated by the value of dwc:verticalDatum.
Comments	See https://docs.gbif.org/georeferencing-best-practices/1.0/en/#img-depth-elevation-distance-above-surface.
Examples	`0` `200`

minimumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/minimumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters
Definition	The 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/maximumDistanceAboveSurfaceInMeters
Definition	The 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/locationAccordingTo
Definition	Information about the source of this dcterms:Location information. Could be a publication (gazetteer), institution, or team of individuals.
Comments	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	`Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names` `GADM`

locationRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/locationRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about the dcterms:Location.
Comments
Examples	`under water since 2005`

preferredSpatialRepresentation
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/preferredSpatialRepresentation
Definition	An indication of which spatial representation best represents the dcterms:Location.
Comments
Examples	`point-radius` `footprint`

decimalLatitude
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/decimalLatitude
Definition	A geographic latitude (in decimal degrees, using the spatial reference system given in dwc:geodeticDatum) of a dcterms:Location.
Comments	Positive values are north of the Equator, negative values are south of it. Valid values lie between -90 and 90, inclusive.
Examples	`-41.0983423`

decimalLongitude
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/decimalLongitude
Definition	A geographic longitude (in decimal degrees, using the spatial reference system given in dwc:geodeticDatum) of a dcterms:Location.
Comments	Positive values are east of the Greenwich Meridian, negative values are west of it. Valid values lie between -180 and 180, inclusive.
Examples	`-121.1761111`

geodeticDatum
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/geodeticDatum
Definition	The ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which the geographic coordinates given in dwc:decimalLatitude and dwc:decimalLongitude are based.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use the EPSG code of the SRS, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the geodetic datum, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the ellipsoid, if known. If none of these is known, use the value `not recorded`. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for a string literal value.
Examples	`EPSG:4326` `WGS84` `NAD27` `Campo Inchauspe` `European 1950` `Clarke 1866` `not recorded`

coordinateUncertaintyInMeters
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/coordinateUncertaintyInMeters
Definition	A horizontal distance (in meters) from a given dwc:decimalLatitude and dwc:decimalLongitude describing the smallest circle containing the whole of the dcterms:Location. Zero is not a valid value for this term.
Comments	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.
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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/coordinatePrecision
Definition	A 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/pointRadiusSpatialFit
Definition	A ratio of the area of a point-radius (dwc:decimalLatitude, dwc:decimalLongitude, dwc:coordinateUncertaintyInMeters) to the area of a true (original, or most specific) spatial representation of a dcterms:Location.
Comments	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 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 pointRadiusSpatialFit is 1. Detailed 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`

footprintWKT
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/footprintWKT
Definition	A Well-Known Text (WKT) representation of the shape (footprint, geometry) that defines a dcterms:Location.
Comments	A dcterms:Location may have both a point-radius representation (see dwc:decimalLatitude) and a footprint representation, and they may differ from each other.
Examples	`POLYGON ((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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/footprintSRS
Definition	The ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which the geometry given in dwc:footprintWKT is based.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use the EPSG code of the SRS, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the geodetic datum, if known. Otherwise use a controlled vocabulary for the name or code of the ellipsoid, if known. If none of these is known, use the value `not recorded`. It is also permitted to provide the SRS in Well-Known-Text, especially if no EPSG code provides the necessary values for the attributes of the SRS. Do not use this term to describe the SRS of the dwc:decimalLatitude and dwc:decimalLongitude, nor of any verbatim coordinates - use the dwc:geodeticDatum and dwc:verbatimSRS instead. This term has an equivalent in the dwciri: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples	`EPSG:4326` `GEOGCS["GCS_WGS_1984", DATUM["D_WGS_1984", SPHEROID["WGS_1984",6378137,298.257223563]], PRIMEM["Greenwich",0], UNIT["Degree",0.0174532925199433]]` (WKT for the standard WGS84 Spatial Reference System EPSG:4326) `not recorded`

footprintSpatialFit
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/footprintSpatialFit
Definition	A ratio of the area of a footprint (dwc:footprintWKT) to the area of a true (original, or most specific) spatial representation of a dcterms:Location.
Comments	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 footprint does not completely contain the original representation. A 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, a dwc:footprintSpatialFit is 1. Detailed 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferencedBy
Definition	A name for a dcterms:Agent responsible for providing a georeference.
Comments	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	`Brad Millen (ROM)` `Kristina Yamamoto \| Janet Fang`

georeferencedDate
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferencedDate
Definition	The date on which the dcterms:Location was georeferenced.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples	`1963-03-08T14:07-06:00` (8 Mar 1963 at or after 2:07pm and before 2:08pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC) `2009-02-20T08:40Z` (20 February 2009 at or after 8:40am and before 8:41 UTC) `2018-08-29T15:19` (29 August 2018 at or after 3:19pm and before 3:20pm local time) `1809-02-12` (within the day 12 February 1809) `1906-06` (in the month of June 1906) `1971` (in the year 1971) `2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z` (some time within the interval beginning 1 March 2007 at 1pm UTC and before 11 May 2008 at 3:30pm UTC) `1900/1909` (some time within the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and before the year 1909) `2007-11-13/15` (some time in the interval between the beginning of 13 November 2007 and before 15 November 2007)

georeferenceProtocol
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferenceProtocol
Definition	A description or reference to a dwc:Protocol used to determine a spatial footprint, coordinates, and uncertainties.
Comments	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	`Georeferencing Quick Reference Guide (Zermoglio et al. 2020, https://doi.org/10.35035/e09p-h128)`

georeferenceSources
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferenceSources
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of maps, gazetteers, or other resources used to georeference a dcterms:Location, described specifically enough to allow anyone in the future to use the same resources.
Comments	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	`GeoLocate`, `GeoPick` `https://www.geonames.org/` `USGS 1:24000 Florence Montana Quad 1967 \| Terrametrics 2008 on Google Earth`

georeferenceRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/georeferenceRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about the spatial description determination, explaining assumptions made in addition or opposition to the those formalized in the method referred to in dwc:georeferenceProtocol.
Comments
Examples	`Assumed distance by road (Hwy. 101)`

GeologicalContext

geologicalContextID earliestEonOrLowestEonothem latestEonOrHighestEonothem earliestEraOrLowestErathem latestEraOrHighestErathem earliestPeriodOrLowestSystem latestPeriodOrHighestSystem earliestEpochOrLowestSeries latestEpochOrHighestSeries earliestAgeOrLowestStage latestAgeOrHighestStage lowestBiostratigraphicZone highestBiostratigraphicZone lithostratigraphicTerms group formation member bed

GeologicalContext Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/GeologicalContext
Definition	A set of geological designations, such as stratigraphy, that qualifies a dcterms:Location or source of a dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments
Examples	`a particular lithostratigraphic layer` `a specific chronostratigraphic unit`

geologicalContextID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/geologicalContextID
Definition	An 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
Examples	`https://opencontext.org/subjects/e54377f7-4452-4315-b676-40679b10c4d9`

earliestEonOrLowestEonothem
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/earliestEonOrLowestEonothem
Definition	The full name of the earliest possible geochronologic eon or lowest chronostratigraphic eonothem or the informal name attributable to the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples	`Phanerozoic` `Proterozoic` `Precambrian`

latestEonOrHighestEonothem
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/latestEonOrHighestEonothem
Definition	The full name of the latest possible geochronologic eon or highest chronostratigraphic eonothem or the informal name attributable to the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples	`Phanerozoic` `Proterozoic` `Precambrian`

earliestEraOrLowestErathem
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/earliestEraOrLowestErathem
Definition	The 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/latestEraOrHighestErathem
Definition	The 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/earliestPeriodOrLowestSystem
Definition	The 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/latestPeriodOrHighestSystem
Definition	The 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/earliestEpochOrLowestSeries
Definition	The 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/latestEpochOrHighestSeries
Definition	The 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/earliestAgeOrLowestStage
Definition	The 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/latestAgeOrHighestStage
Definition	The 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/lowestBiostratigraphicZone
Definition	The full name of the lowest possible geological biostratigraphic zone of the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples	`Maastrichtian`

highestBiostratigraphicZone
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/highestBiostratigraphicZone
Definition	The full name of the highest possible geological biostratigraphic zone of the stratigraphic horizon from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples	`Blancan`

lithostratigraphicTerms
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/lithostratigraphicTerms
Definition	The combination of all lithostratigraphic names for the rock from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples	`Pleistocene-Weichselien`

group
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/group
Definition	The full name of the lithostratigraphic group from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples	`Bathurst` `Lower Wealden`

formation
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/formation
Definition	The full name of the lithostratigraphic formation from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples	`Notch Peak Formation` `House Limestone` `Fillmore Formation`

member
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/member
Definition	The full name of the lithostratigraphic member from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples	`Lava Dam Member` `Hellnmaria Member`

bed
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/bed
Definition	The full name of the lithostratigraphic bed from which the dwc:MaterialEntity was collected.
Comments
Examples	`Harlem coal`

Identification

identificationID identificationType verbatimIdentification isAcceptedIdentification taxonFormula identificationQualifier typeStatus identifiedBy identifiedByID dateIdentified identificationReferences identificationVerificationStatus identificationRemarks

Identification Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Identification
Definition	A classification of a resource according to a classification scheme.
Comments	For biology, the assignment of a scientific name or taxon concept to a dwc:Organism.
Examples	`a subspecies determination of an organism` `a nomenclatural act designating a specimen as a holotype`

identificationID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identificationID
Definition	An identifier for a dwc:Identification.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a globally unique identifier.
Examples	`9992`

identificationType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identificationType
Definition	A category that best matches the nature of a dwc:Identification.
Comments	The evidentiary basis, analytical approach, or inferential method by which an identification was determined. Values describe the dominant source of information supporting the identification (e.g., morphology, geography, molecular data, functional attributes, relationships, or taxonomic revision), independent of confidence level or taxonomic outcome. 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	`geography` `taxonomicRevision` `functionalAttributes` `nucleotideAnalysis` `karyotype` `media` `relationship` `features` `fineFeatures` `unknown`

verbatimIdentification
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimIdentification
Definition	A string representing the taxonomic identification as it appeared in the original record.
Comments	This 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`

isAcceptedIdentification
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/isAcceptedIdentification
Definition	An indicator that a dwc:Identification of a dwc:Organism is a currently an accepted or preferred one.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to follow the TDWG Boolean Controlled Vocabulary http://rs.tdwg.org/tag/doc/boolean/.
Examples	`true` `false`

taxonFormula
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/taxonFormula
Definition	A string representing the pattern to use to construct a dwc:Identification from dwc:Taxon names and identification qualifiers.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary.
Examples	`A` `not A` `A ?` `A or B` `A and B` `A x B` `A cf.` `A aff.`

identificationQualifier
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identificationQualifier
Definition	A brief phrase or a standard term ("cf.", "aff.") to express the determiner's doubts about the dwc:Identification.
Comments	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	`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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/typeStatus
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of nomenclatural types (type status, typified scientific name, publication) applied to the subject.
Comments	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	`holotype of Ctenomys sociabilis. Pearson O. P., and M. I. Christie. 1985. Historia Natural, 5(37):388` `holotype of Pinus abies \| holotype of Picea abies`

identifiedBy
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identifiedBy
Definition	A name for a dcterms:Agent responsible for making a dwc:Identification.
Comments	When used in the context of an eco:Survey, the subject consists of all of the dwc:Identifications related to the eco:Survey. 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	`James L. Patton` `Theodore Pappenfuss \| Robert Macey` `MegaDetector V5`

identifiedByID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identifiedByID
Definition	An identifier for a dcterms:Agent responsible for making a dwc:Identification.
Comments	When used in the context of an eco:Survey, the subject consists of all of the dwc:Identifications related to the eco:Survey. Recommended best practice is to provide a single identifier that disambiguates the details of the identifying dcterms: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	`https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1825-0097` (for an individual) `https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1825-0097 \| https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1825-0098` (for a list of people)

dateIdentified
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/dateIdentified
Definition	The date on which the subject was determined as representing the dwc:Taxon.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples	`1963-03-08T14:07-06:00` (8 Mar 1963 at or after 2:07pm and before 2:08pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC) `2009-02-20T08:40Z` (20 February 2009 at or after 8:40am and before 8:41 UTC) `2018-08-29T15:19` (29 August 2018 at or after 3:19pm and before 3:20pm local time) `1809-02-12` (within the day 12 February 1809) `1906-06` (in the month of June 1906) `1971` (in the year 1971) `2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z` (some time within the interval beginning 1 March 2007 at 1pm UTC and before 11 May 2008 at 3:30pm UTC) `1900/1909` (some time within the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and before the year 1909) `2007-11-13/15` (some time in the interval between the beginning of 13 November 2007 and before 15 November 2007)

identificationReferences
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identificationReferences
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of dcterms:BibliographicResources used in a dwc:Identification.
Comments	When used in the context of an eco:Survey, the subject consists of all of the dwc:Identifications related to the eco:Survey. Recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( `\|` ).
Examples	`Aves del Noroeste Patagonico. Christie et al. 2004.` `Stebbins, R. Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd Edition. 2003. \| Irschick, D.J. and Shaffer, H.B. (1997). The polytypic species revisited: Morphological differentiation among tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) (Amphibia: Caudata). Herpetologica, 53(1), 30-49.`

identificationVerificationStatus
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identificationVerificationStatus
Definition	A categorical indicator of the extent to which a taxonomic determination has been verified to be correct.
Comments	Recommended 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.
Examples	`0` (unverified in HISPID/ABCD)

identificationRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/identificationRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about the dwc:Identification.
Comments
Examples	`Distinguished between Anthus correndera and Anthus hellmayri based on the comparative lengths of the uñas.`

MaterialEntity

materialEntityID digitalSpecimenID materialEntityCategory materialEntityType discipline typeOfType typifiedName catalogNumber otherCatalogNumbers recordNumber objectQuantity objectQuantityType preparations disposition verbatimLabel associatedSequences materialEntityRemarks

MaterialEntity Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/MaterialEntity
Definition	An entity that can be identified, exists for some period of time, and consists in whole or in part of physical matter while it exists.
Comments	The 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. In Darwin Core, dwc:Organism, dwc:Occurrence, and dwc:MaterialEntity are related, but distinct concepts. A dwc:Organism is a biological individual or group with an identity and life history that persists independently of the particular dwc:MaterialEntities through which it is manifested. A dwc:Occurrence is a dwc:Event that represents the presence or state of a dwc:Organism at a place during an interval of time, with no explicit dependency on any dwc:MaterialEntity. A dwc:MaterialEntity represents physical matter, including whole bodies, parts, or derivatives of dwc:Organisms, that may directly or indirectly serve as evidence of a dwc:Occurrence.
Examples	`the entire contents of a trawl` `a subset of the contents of a trawl` `the body of a fish` `the stomach contents of a fish` `a rock containing fossils` `a fossil within a rock` `an herbarium sheet with its attached plant specimen` `a flower on a plant specimen` `a pollen grain` `a specific water sample` `an isolated molecule of DNA`

materialEntityID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/materialEntityID
Definition	An identifier for a particular instance of a dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments	Values 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.
Examples	`06809dc5-f143-459a-be1a-6f03e63fc083`

digitalSpecimenID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/digitalSpecimenID
Definition	An identifier for a Digital Specimen resource.
Comments	A Digital Specimen is defined in https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.7.e67379. A dwc:digitalSpecimenID is intended to uniquely and persistently identify a Digital Specimen. Recommended best practice is to use a DOI with machine readable metadata in the DOI record that uses a community agreed metadata profile (also known as FDO profile) for a Digital Specimen. For an example see: https://doi.org/10.3535/N75-CR4-0SM?noredirect. The identifier is for a digital information artifact (the Digital Specimen) as opposed to an identifier for a specific instance of a dwc:MaterialEntity.
Examples	`https://doi.org/10.3535/M42-Z4P-DRD` `https://doi.org/10.3535/M42-Z4P-DRD?urlappend=/1` `https://doi.org/10.3535/M42-Z4P-DRD?locatt=/1` `doi:10.3535/M42-Z4P-DRD`

materialEntityCategory
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/materialEntityCategory
Definition	A high-level, mutually exclusive classification describing the fundamental substance and origin of a dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a limited, tightly 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	`liveOrganism`, `deadOrganism`, `partOfOrganism`, `nonMolecularBiologicalExtract`, `molecularBiologicalExtract`, `mineral`, `rock`, `fossil`, `chemical`, `humanArtifactWithBiologicalConstituent`, `humanArtifactWithoutBiologicalConstituent`, and `mixed`

materialEntityType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/materialEntityType
Definition	A more generic classification of a dwc:MaterialEntity than dwc:preparations but less broad than dwc:materialCategory.
Comments	A more generic classification of a dwc:MaterialEntity than dwc:preparations. Recommended 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

discipline
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/discipline
Definition	The primary branch or branches of knowledge represented by a dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments	This term can be used to classify records according to branches of knowledge. Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary and to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( `\|` ). It is also recommended to use this field to describe specimenType in MIDS. 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	`Botany` `Botany \| Virology \| Taxonomy`

typeOfType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/typeOfType
Definition	A category of nomenclatural type of a dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments	The term dwc:typeOfType must be used in combination with dwc:typifiedName. Together they make up the type status of a specimen. Note that relatively very few specimens are nomenclatural types (types of names), so in most cases this term will have no value. Unlike dwc:typeStatus, dwc:typeOfType can only have a single value. Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the GBIF Nomenclatural Type Status Vocabulary. This term has an equivalent in the tcs: namespace that allows only an IRI as a value, whereas this term allows for any string literal value.
Examples	`holotype` `isotype`

typifiedName
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/typifiedName
Definition	A scientific name for which a specimen or other name is the type.
Comments	The term dwc:typifiedName must be used in combination with dwc:typeOfType. Together they make up the type status of a specimen. Note that relatively very few specimens are nomenclatural types (types of names), so in most cases this term will have no value. Unlike dwc:typeStatus, dwc:typifiedName can only have a single value, so a dwc:MaterialEntity can only have a single dwc:typifiedName.
Examples	`Polysiphonia amphibolis Womersley`

catalogNumber
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/catalogNumber
Definition	An identifier (preferably unique) for a resource within a collection.
Comments
Examples	`145732` `145732a` `2008.1334` `R-4313`

otherCatalogNumbers
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/otherCatalogNumbers
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of previous or alternate fully qualified catalog numbers or other human-used identifiers for the same dwc:MaterialEntity, whether in the current or any other data set or collection.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( `\|` ).
Examples	`FMNH:Mammal:1234` `NPS YELLO6778 \| MBG 33424`

recordNumber
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/recordNumber
Definition	An 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.
Comments	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	`OPP 7101`

objectQuantity
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/objectQuantity
Definition	A number or enumeration value for the quantity of differentiable dwc:MaterialEntities comprising this dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments	An dwc:objectQuantity must have a corresponding dwc:objectQuantityType.
Examples	`27` (objectQuantity) with `individuals` (objectQuantityType) `many` (objectQuantity) with `individuals` (objectQuantityType) `3` (objectQuantity) with `legs` (objectQuantityType)

objectQuantityType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/objectQuantityType
Definition	The type of quantification system used for the quantity of dwc:MaterialEntities.
Comments	An dwc:objectQuantityType must have a corresponding dwc:objectQuantity. 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` (objectQuantity) with `individuals` (objectQuantityType) `many` (objectQuantity) with `individuals` (objectQuantityType) `3` (objectQuantity) with `legs` (objectQuantityType)

preparations
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/preparations
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of preparations and preservation methods for a dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments	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	`fossil` `cast` `photograph` `DNA extract` `skin \| skull \| skeleton` `whole animal (EtOH) \| tissue (EDTA)`

disposition
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/disposition
Definition	A current state of a dwc:MaterialEntity with respect to where it can be found.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimLabel
Definition	A verbatim original representation of the written information affixed or related to a dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments	The 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:materialEntityRemarks. Examples can be found at https://dwc.tdwg.org/examples/verbatimLabel.
Examples

associatedSequences
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/associatedSequences
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of dcterms:BibliographicResources for dwc:NucleotideSequences associated with a dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments
Examples	`http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/U34853.1` `http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/GU328060 \| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/AF326093`

materialEntityRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/materialEntityRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about a dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments
Examples	`found in association with charred remains` `some original fragments missing`

MaterialSample

materialSampleID

MaterialSample Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/MaterialSample
Definition	A 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/materialSampleID
Definition	An 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.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a persistent, globally unique identifier.
Examples	`06809dc5-f143-459a-be1a-6f03e63fc083`

Occurrence

occurrenceID recordedBy recordedByID individualCount organismQuantity organismQuantityType sex lifeStage reproductiveCondition caste behavior vitality establishmentMeans degreeOfEstablishment pathway occurrenceStatus associatedOccurrences associatedTaxa occurrenceRemarks

Occurrence Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Occurrence
Definition	A dwc:Event that establishes the state of a dwc:Organism at a particular place and time.
Comments	In Darwin Core, dwc:Organism, dwc:Occurrence, and dwc:MaterialEntity are related, but distinct concepts. A dwc:Organism is a biological individual or group with an identity and life history that persists independently of the particular dwc:MaterialEntities through which it is manifested. A dwc:Occurrence is a dwc:Event that represents the presence or state of a dwc:Organism at a place during an interval of time, with no explicit dependency on any dwc:MaterialEntity. A dwc:MaterialEntity represents physical matter, including whole bodies, parts, or derivatives of dwc:Organisms, that may directly or indirectly serve as evidence of a dwc:Occurrence.
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` `a male lance-tailed manakin in a courtship display on Isla Boca Brava`

occurrenceID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/occurrenceID
Definition	An identifier for a dwc:Occurrence (as opposed to a particular digital record of a dwc:Occurrence).
Comments	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.
Examples	`https://arctos.database.museum/guid/MSB:Mamm:231731?seid=966527` `3854b337a-da0b-483f-a1c7-107403bdbb40` `http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3854b337a-da0b-483f-a1c7-107403bdbb40`

recordedBy
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/recordedBy
Definition	A name for a dcterms:Agent responsible for recording a dwc:Occurrence.
Comments	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	`José E. Crespo` `Oliver P. Pearson \| Anita K. Pearson` `Megatherium Club` `The Natural History Society of Northumbria` `ROV SuBastian`

recordedByID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/recordedByID
Definition	An identifier for a dcterms:Agent responsible for recording a dwc:Occurrence.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( `\|` ).
Examples	`https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1825-0097` (for an individual) `https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1825-0097 \| https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1825-0098` (for a list of people)

individualCount
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/individualCount
Definition	The number of individuals present at the time of the dwc:Occurrence.
Comments
Examples	`0` `1` `25`

organismQuantity
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismQuantity
Definition	A number or enumeration value for the quantity of dwc:Organisms.
Comments	A 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismQuantityType
Definition	The type of quantification system used for the quantity of dwc:Organisms.
Comments	A 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/sex
Definition	A sex of a dwc:Organism.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/lifeStage
Definition	An age class or life stage of a dwc:Organism.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/reproductiveCondition
Definition	A reproductive condition of a dwc:Organism.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/caste
Definition	A social caste of a dwc:Organism.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary that aligns best with a 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/behavior
Definition	A behavior shown by a dwc:Organism.
Comments	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	`roosting` `foraging` `running`

vitality
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/vitality
Definition	An indication of whether a dwc:Organism was alive or dead at the time of collection or observation.
Comments	Recommended 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	`alive` `dead` `mixedLot` `uncertain` `notAssessed`

establishmentMeans
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/establishmentMeans
Definition	Statement about whether a dwc:Organism has been introduced to a given place and time through the direct or indirect activity of modern humans.
Comments	Recommended 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` `nativeEndemic` `nativeReintroduced` `introduced` `introducedAssistedColonisation` `vagrant` `uncertain`

degreeOfEstablishment
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/degreeOfEstablishment
Definition	The degree to which a dwc:Organism survives, reproduces, and expands its range at the given place and time.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/pathway
Definition	The process by which a dwc:Organism came to be in a given place at a given time.
Comments	Recommended 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`

occurrenceStatus
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/occurrenceStatus
Definition	A statement about the detection or non-detection of a dwc:Organism during a dwc:Event.
Comments	For dwc:Occurrences, the default vocabulary is recommended to consist of detected and notDetected, 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	`detected` `notDetected`

associatedOccurrences
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/associatedOccurrences
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of identifiers of other dwc:Occurrence records and their associations to this dwc:Occurrence.
Comments	This 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	`"parasite collected from":"https://arctos.database.museum/guid/MSB:Mamm:215895?seid=950760"` `"encounter previous to":"http://arctos.database.museum/guid/MSB:Mamm:292063?seid=3175067" \| "encounter previous to":"http://arctos.database.museum/guid/MSB:Mamm:292063?seid=3177393" \| "encounter previous to":"http://arctos.database.museum/guid/MSB:Mamm:292063?seid=3177394" \| "encounter previous to":"http://arctos.database.museum/guid/MSB:Mamm:292063?seid=3177392" \| "encounter previous to":"http://arctos.database.museum/guid/MSB:Mamm:292063?seid=3609139"`

associatedTaxa
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/associatedTaxa
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of identifiers or names of dwc:Taxon records and the associations of this dwc:Occurrence to each of them.
Comments	This 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"`

occurrenceRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/occurrenceRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about the dwc:Occurrence.
Comments
Examples	`found dead on road`

Organism

organismID organismScope organismName causeOfDeath associatedOrganisms previousIdentifications organismRemarks

Organism Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Organism
Definition	A particular organism or defined group of organisms considered to be taxonomically homogeneous.
Comments	Instances 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. In Darwin Core, dwc:Organism, dwc:Occurrence, and dwc:MaterialEntity are related, but distinct concepts. A dwc:Organism is a biological individual or group with an identity and life history that persists independently of the particular dwc:MaterialEntities through which it is manifested. A dwc:Occurrence is a dwc:Event that represents the presence or state of a dwc:Organism at a place during an interval of time, with no explicit dependency on any dwc:MaterialEntity. A dwc:MaterialEntity represents physical matter, including whole bodies, parts, or derivatives of dwc:Organisms, that may directly or indirectly serve as evidence of a dwc:Occurrence.
Examples	`a specific bird` `a specific wolf pack` `a specific instance of a bacterial culture` `a particular plant gathered in the wild, transplanted to a botanical garden, and preserved as a specimen in a collection`

organismID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismID
Definition	An 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
Examples	`http://arctos.database.museum/guid/WNMU:Mamm:1249`

organismScope
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismScope
Definition	A 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.
Comments	Recommended 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`

organismName
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismName
Definition	A textual name or label assigned to a dwc:Organism instance.
Comments
Examples	`Huberta` `Boab Prison Tree` `J pod`

causeOfDeath
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/causeOfDeath
Definition	An indication of the known or suspected cause of death of a dwc:Organism.
Comments	The cause may be due to natural causes (e.g., disease, predation), human-related activities (e.g., roadkill, pollution), or other environmental factors (e.g., extreme weather events).
Examples	`trap` `poison` `starvation` `drowning` `shooting` `old age` `vehicle collision` `disease` `herbicide` `burning` `infanticide`

associatedOrganisms
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/associatedOrganisms
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of identifiers of other dwc:Organisms and the associations of this dwc:Organism to each of them.
Comments	This 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	`"sibling of":"http://arctos.database.museum/guid/DMNS:Mamm:14171"` `"parent of":"http://arctos.database.museum/guid/MSB:Mamm:196208" \| "parent of":"http://arctos.database.museum/guid/MSB:Mamm:196523" \| "sibling of":"http://arctos.database.museum/guid/MSB:Mamm:142638"`

previousIdentifications
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/previousIdentifications
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of previous assignments of names to the dwc:Organism.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about the dwc:Organism instance.
Comments
Examples	`One of a litter of six`

OrganismInteraction

organismInteractionID organismInteractionDescription organismInteractionType

OrganismInteraction Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/OrganismInteraction
Definition	An interaction between two dwc:Organisms during a dwc:Event.
Comments	Supports only primary observed interactions, not habitual or derived taxon-level interactions. Pairwise interactions must be used to represent multi-organism interactions. When possible, typify the action rather than the state from which an action is inferred, with the actor as the subject dwc:Occurrence and the acted-upon as the related dwc:Occurrence. Only one direction of a two-way interaction is necessary, though both are permissible as distinct OrganismInteractions with distinct subject dwc:Occurrences.
Examples	`a bee visiting a flower` `a Mallophora ruficauda hunting an Apis mellifera in flight` `a viral infection in a plant` `a female spider mating with a male spider` `a lion cub nursing from its mother` `a mosquito sucking blood from a chimpanzee's arm` `a slug eating a fungus growing on decomposing stump (2 interactions)`

organismInteractionID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismInteractionID
Definition	An identifier for a dwc:OrganismInteraction.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a globally unique identifier.
Examples

organismInteractionDescription
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismInteractionDescription
Definition	A verbatim description of a dwc:OrganismInteraction.
Comments
Examples	`Mallophora ruficauda captured an Apis mellifera worker in flight.`

organismInteractionType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/organismInteractionType
Definition	A category that best matches the nature of a dwc:OrganismInteraction.
Comments	Recommended 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	`visitedFlowerOf` `parasitized` `matedWith` `wasAttachedTo`

MeasurementOrFact

measurementID parentMeasurementID measurementType verbatimMeasurementType measurementValue measurementAccuracy measurementUnit measurementDeterminedBy measurementDeterminedDate measurementMethod measurementRemarks

MeasurementOrFact Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/MeasurementOrFact
Definition	A measurement of or fact about an rdfs:Resource (http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#Resource).
Comments	Resources 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementID
Definition	An 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
Examples	`9c752d22-b09a-11e8-96f8-529269fb1459`

parentMeasurementID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/parentMeasurementID
Definition	An identifier for a broader dwc:MeasurementOrFact that groups this and potentially other dwc:MeasurementOrFacts.
Comments	May be a globally unique identifier or an identifier specific to the data set.
Examples	`9c752d22-b09a-11e8-96f8-529269fb1459` `E1_E1_O1_M1`

measurementType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementType
Definition	The nature of the measurement, fact, characteristic, or assertion.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimMeasurementType
Definition	A string representing the type of measurement or fact as it appeared in the original record.
Comments	This term is meant to allow the capture of an unaltered original name for a measurement or fact type. This term is meant to be used in addition to dwc:measurementType, not instead of it.
Examples	`water_temp` `Fish biomass` `sampling net mesh size`

measurementValue
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementValue
Definition	The value of the measurement, fact, characteristic, or assertion.
Comments	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	`45` `20` `1` `14.5` `UV-light`

measurementAccuracy
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementAccuracy
Definition	The description of the potential error associated with the dwc:measurementValue.
Comments
Examples	`0.01` `normal distribution with variation of 2 m`

measurementUnit
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementUnit
Definition	The units associated with the dwc:measurementValue.
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementDeterminedBy
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of names of people, groups, or organizations who determined the value of the dwc:MeasurementOrFact.
Comments	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	`Rob Guralnick` `Peter Desmet \| Stijn Van Hoey`

measurementDeterminedDate
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementDeterminedDate
Definition	The date on which the dwc:MeasurementOrFact was made.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples	`1963-03-08T14:07-06:00` (8 Mar 1963 at or after 2:07pm and before 2:08pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC) `2009-02-20T08:40Z` (20 February 2009 at or after 8:40am and before 8:41 UTC) `2018-08-29T15:19` (29 August 2018 at or after 3:19pm and before 3:20pm local time) `1809-02-12` (within the day 12 February 1809) `1906-06` (in the month of June 1906) `1971` (in the year 1971) `2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z` (some time within the interval beginning 1 March 2007 at 1pm UTC and before 11 May 2008 at 3:30pm UTC) `1900/1909` (some time within the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and before the year 1909) `2007-11-13/15` (some time in the interval between the beginning of 13 November 2007 and before 15 November 2007)

measurementMethod
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementMethod
Definition	A description of or reference to (publication, URI) the method or protocol used to determine the measurement, fact, characteristic, or assertion.
Comments	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	`minimum convex polygon around burrow entrances` (for a home range area) `barometric altimeter` (for an elevation)

measurementRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/measurementRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes accompanying the dwc:MeasurementOrFact.
Comments
Examples	`tip of tail missing`

Media

Media Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/ac/terms/Media
Definition	A digital or physical media resource.
Comments	An instance of digital textual media may be better represented as a dcterms:BibliographicResource.
Examples	`dcmi:Sound` `dcmi:StillImage` `dcmi:MovingImage` `dcmi:InteractiveResource` `ac:Digital3DResource`

MolecularProtocol

molecularProtocolID assayType

MolecularProtocol Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/MolecularProtocol
Definition	A protocol used to perform a dwc:NucleotideAnalysis and potentially derive a dwc:NucleotideSequence from a dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments
Examples	`a standard DNA barcoding workflow using Sanger sequencing` `a shotgun metagenomics pipeline for microbial community profiling` `a high-throughput amplicon sequencing protocol targeting 16S rRNA`

molecularProtocolID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/molecularProtocolID
Definition	An identifier for a dwc:MolecularProtocol.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a globally unique identifier.
Examples

assayType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/assayType
Definition	A type of method used in a study to detect taxon/taxa of interest in a dwc:MaterialEntity.
Comments	Recommended 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	`targeted` `metabarcoding` `other`

NucleotideAnalysis

readCount processedTotalReadCount

NucleotideAnalysis Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/NucleotideAnalysis
Definition	A link between a dwc:NucleotideSequence or a dwc:Identification and a dwc:Event and a dwc:MaterialEntity from which it was derived, using a specified dwc:Protocol.
Comments
Examples

readCount
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/readCount
Definition	The number of reads obtained for a processed dwc:NucleotideSequence during a dwc:NucleotideAnalysis.
Comments
Examples	`325` `73591` `8302`

processedTotalReadCount
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/processedTotalReadCount
Definition	The total number of reads obtained for a processed dwc:NucleotideSequence during a dwc:NucleotideAnalysis.
Comments
Examples	`50638`, `345987`, `764032`

NucleotideSequence

sequence nucleotideSequenceRemarks

NucleotideSequence Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/NucleotideSequence
Definition	A digital representation of a nucleotide sequence.
Comments
Examples

sequence
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/sequence
Definition	A string representing nucleotide base pairs.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use IUPAC single character symbols (https://www.bioinformatics.org/sms/iupac.html). Use "N" for an unknown or missing nucleotide, and avoid using "?". The sequence should be written in the 5' to 3' direction.
Examples	`TCTATCCTCAATTATAGGTCATAATTCACCATCAG`

nucleotideSequenceRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/nucleotideSequenceRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about a dwc:NucleotideSequence.
Comments
Examples

Protocol

protocolID protocolType protocolDescription protocolRemarks

Protocol Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Protocol
Definition	A method used during an action.
Comments
Examples	`a pitfall trap method for sampling ground-dwelling arthropods` `a point-radius georeferencing method` `a linear regression model to estimate body mass from skeletal measurements` `a Bayesian phylogenetic inference method`

protocolID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/protocolID
Definition	An identifier for a dwc:Protocol.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a globally unique identifier.
Examples

protocolType
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/protocolType
Definition	A category that best matches the nature of a dwc:Protocol.
Comments	Recommended 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	`measurement` `georeference` `chronometricAge` `chronometricAgeConversion` `samplingEffort`

protocolDescription
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/protocolDescription
Definition	A detailed description of a dwc:Protocol.
Comments
Examples	`Georeference following Zermoglio et al. 2020 (https://doi.org/10.35035/e09p-h128), using GeoPick (https://geopick.gbif.org/) for named place determinations and Georeferencing Calculator (https://github.com/VertNet/georefcalculator) for complex uncertainties.`

protocolRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/protocolRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about a dwc:Protocol.
Comments
Examples

Provenance

projectTitle projectID fundingAttribution fundingAttributionID

Provenance Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Provenance
Definition	Information about an entity’s origins.
Comments	This is a convenience class to group related properties.
Examples

projectTitle
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/projectTitle
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of titles or names for projects that contributed to a dwc:Event.
Comments	Use this term to provide the official name or title of a project as it is commonly known and cited. Avoid abbreviations unless they are widely understood. The recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( `\|` ).
Examples	`Arctic Deep` `Scalidophora i Noreg` `The Nansen Legacy` `Underwater Oases of the Mar del Plata Canyon: Talud Continental IV`

projectID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/projectID
Definition	A list (concatenated and separated) of identifiers for projects that contributed to a dwc:Event.
Comments	A projectID may be shared in multiple distinct datasets. The nature of the association can be described in the metadata project description element. This term should be used to provide a globally unique identifier (GUID) for a project, if available. This could be a DOI, URI, or any other persistent identifier that ensures a project can be uniquely distinguished from others. The Recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( `\|` ).
Examples	`https://arvenetternansen.com/` `https://doi.org/10.26259/3b15eca7` `https://doi.org/10.3030/101180559` `OC202405` `RCN276730` `RCN276730 \| Artsproject_7-24`

fundingAttribution
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/ac/terms/fundingAttribution
Definition	Text description of organizations or individuals who funded the creation of the resource.
Comments	Specify the full official name of the funding body. This should include the complete name without abbreviations, unless the abbreviation is an official and commonly recognized form (e.g., NSF for the National Science Foundation). The recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( `\|` ).
Examples	`Artsdatabanken` `National Science Foundation` `Norges forskningsråd` `Ocean Census \| Nippon Foundation`

fundingAttributionID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/fundingAttributionID
Definition	An identifier for a dcterms:Agent that financially supported a project.
Comments	Provide a unique identifier for the funding body, such as an identifier used in governmental or international databases. If no official identifier exists, use a persistent and unique identifier within your organization or dataset. Recommended best practice is to separate the values in a list with space vertical bar space ( `\|` ).
Examples	`https://ror.org/00epmv149` `https://ror.org/00epmv149 \| https://ror.org/04jnzhb65` `https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13102615`

ResourceRelationship

resourceRelationshipID resourceID relationshipOfResourceID relatedResourceID relationshipOfResource relationshipAccordingTo relationshipEstablishedDate relationshipRemarks

ResourceRelationship Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/ResourceRelationship
Definition	A relationship of one rdfs:Resource (http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#Resource) to another.
Comments	Resources 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/resourceRelationshipID
Definition	An identifier for a dwc:ResourceRelationship.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a globally unique identifier.
Examples

resourceID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/resourceID
Definition	An identifier for the resource that is the subject of the relationship.
Comments
Examples	`f809b9e0-b09b-11e8-96f8-529269fb1459`

relationshipOfResourceID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relationshipOfResourceID
Definition	An identifier for the relationship type (predicate) that connects the subject identified by dwc:resourceID to its object identified by dwc:relatedResourceID.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use the identifiers of the terms in a controlled vocabulary, such as the OBO Relation Ontology.
Examples	`http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/RO_0002456` (for the relation `pollinated by`) `http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/RO_0002455` (for the relation `pollinates`) `https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/879` (for the relation `eaten by`)

relatedResourceID
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relatedResourceID
Definition	An identifier for the related resource (the object) of a dwc:ResourceRelationship.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a globally unique identifier.
Examples	`dc609808-b09b-11e8-96f8-529269fb1459`

relationshipOfResource
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relationshipOfResource
Definition	The relationship of the subject (identified by dwc:resourceID) to the object (identified by dwc:relatedResourceID).
Comments	Recommended 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
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relationshipAccordingTo
Definition	The source (person, organization, publication, reference) establishing the relationship between the two resources.
Comments
Examples	`Julie Woodruff`

relationshipEstablishedDate
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relationshipEstablishedDate
Definition	The date-time on which the relationship between the two resources was established.
Comments	Recommended best practice is to use a date that conforms to ISO 8601-1:2019.
Examples	`1963-03-08T14:07-06:00` (8 Mar 1963 at or after 2:07pm and before 2:08pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC) `2009-02-20T08:40Z` (20 February 2009 at or after 8:40am and before 8:41 UTC) `2018-08-29T15:19` (29 August 2018 at or after 3:19pm and before 3:20pm local time) `1809-02-12` (within the day 12 February 1809) `1906-06` (in the month of June 1906) `1971` (in the year 1971) `2007-03-01T13:00:00Z/2008-05-11T15:30:00Z` (some time within the interval beginning 1 March 2007 at 1pm UTC and before 11 May 2008 at 3:30pm UTC) `1900/1909` (some time within the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and before the year 1909) `2007-11-13/15` (some time in the interval between the beginning of 13 November 2007 and before 15 November 2007)

relationshipRemarks
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/relationshipRemarks
Definition	Comments or notes about the relationship between the two resources.
Comments
Examples	`mother and offspring collected from the same nest` `pollinator captured in the act`

Taxon

Taxon Class
Identifier	http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/Taxon
Definition	A group of organisms (sensu http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/OBI_0100026) considered by taxonomists to form a homogeneous unit.
Comments
Examples	`the genus Truncorotaloides as published by Brönnimann et al. in 1953 in the Journal of Paleontology Vol. 27(6) p. 817-820`

taxonID

Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/taxonID

Definition An identifier for a dwc:Taxon.

Comments

Examples

8fa58e08-08de-4ac1-b69c-1235340b7001</li>
32567</code>
https://www.gbif.org/species/212

</ul></td></tr>
  </tbody>
</table>


    
  

  
    scientificNameID
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/scientificNameID
    Definition An identifier for the nomenclatural (not taxonomic) details of a scientific name.
    Comments 
    Examples urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:37829-1:1.3
  



    
  

  
    acceptedNameUsageID
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/acceptedNameUsageID
    Definition An identifier for the name usage (documented meaning of the name according to a source) of the currently valid (zoological) or accepted (botanical) taxon.
    Comments This 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/parentNameUsageID
    Definition An 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.
    Comments This 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/originalNameUsageID
    Definition An 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.
    Comments This 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/nameAccordingToID
    Definition An identifier for the source in which the specific taxon concept circumscription is defined or implied. See dwc:nameAccordingTo.
    Comments 
    Examples https://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-915X(97)80026-2
  



    
  

  
    namePublishedInID
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/namePublishedInID
    Definition An identifier for the publication in which the dwc:scientificName was originally established under the rules of the associated dwc:nomenclaturalCode.
    Comments A 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/taxonConceptID
    Definition An identifier for the taxonomic concept to which the record refers - not for the nomenclatural details of a dwc:Taxon.
    Comments 
    Examples 8fa58e08-08de-4ac1-b69c-1235340b7001
  



    
  

  
    scientificName
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/scientificName
    Definition The 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.
    Comments This 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 (Shenzhen 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/acceptedNameUsage
    Definition The full name, with authorship and date information if known, of the currently valid (zoological) or accepted (botanical) dwc:Taxon.
    Comments The full scientific name, with authorship and date information if known, of the accepted (botanical) or valid (zoological) name in cases where the provided dwc:scientificName is considered by the reference indicated in the dwc:nameAccordingTo property, or of the content provider, to be a synonym or misapplied name. When applied to a dwc:Organism or dwc:Occurrence, this term should be used in cases where a content provider regards the provided dwc:scientificName to be inconsistent with the taxonomic perspective of the content provider. For example, there are many discrepancies within specimen collections and observation datasets between the recorded name (e.g., the most recent identification from an expert who examined a specimen, or a field identification for an observed dwc:Organism), and the name asserted by the content provider to be taxonomically accepted.
    Examples Tamias minimus (valid name for Eutamias minimus)
  



    
  

  
    parentNameUsage
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/parentNameUsage
    Definition The 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/originalNameUsage
    Definition The 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.
    Comments The 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/nameAccordingTo
    Definition The 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.
    Comments This 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.
    Examples Franz 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/namePublishedIn
    Definition A reference for the publication in which the dwc:scientificName was originally established under the rules of the associated dwc:nomenclaturalCode.
    Comments A 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/namePublishedInYear
    Definition The four-digit year in which the dwc:scientificName was published.
    Comments 
    Examples 1915
2008
  



    
  

  
    higherClassification
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/higherClassification
    Definition A list (concatenated and separated) of taxa names terminating at the rank immediately superior to the referenced dwc:Taxon.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/kingdom
    Definition The full scientific name of the kingdom in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
    Comments 
    Examples Animalia
Archaea
Bacteria
Chromista
Fungi
Plantae
Protozoa
Viruses
  



    
  

  
    phylum
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/phylum
    Definition The full scientific name of the phylum or division in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
    Comments 
    Examples Chordata (phylum)
Bryophyta (division)
  



    
  

  
    class
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/class
    Definition The full scientific name of the class in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
    Comments 
    Examples Mammalia
Hepaticopsida
  



    
  

  
    order
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/order
    Definition The full scientific name of the order in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
    Comments 
    Examples Carnivora
Monocleales
  



    
  

  
    superfamily
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/superfamily
    Definition The full scientific name of the superfamily in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
    Comments A 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/family
    Definition The full scientific name of the family in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
    Comments 
    Examples Felidae
Monocleaceae
  



    
  

  
    subfamily
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/subfamily
    Definition The full scientific name of the subfamily in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
    Comments 
    Examples Periptyctinae
Orchidoideae
Sphindociinae
  



    
  

  
    tribe
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/tribe
    Definition The full scientific name of the tribe in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
    Comments 
    Examples Ortaliini
Arethuseae
  



    
  

  
    subtribe
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/subtribe
    Definition The full scientific name of the subtribe in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
    Comments 
    Examples Plotinini
Typhaeini
  



    
  

  
    genus
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/genus
    Definition The full scientific name of the genus in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
    Comments 
    Examples Puma
Monoclea
  



    
  

  
    genericName
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/genericName
    Definition The genus part of the dwc:scientificName without authorship.
    Comments For 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.
    Examples Felis (for scientificName Felis concolor, with accompanying values of Puma concolor in acceptedNameUsage and Puma in genus)
  



    
  

  
    subgenus
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/subgenus
    Definition The full scientific name of the subgenus in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
    Comments A value for this term should be a complete subgenus name as required by the appropriate nomenclatural code.
    Examples Abacetus (Parastygis)
Dicranum subgen. Orthodicranum
  



    
  

  
    infragenericEpithet
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/infragenericEpithet
    Definition The infrageneric part of a binomial name at ranks above species but below genus.
    Comments The 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/specificEpithet
    Definition The name of the first or species epithet of the dwc:scientificName.
    Comments 
    Examples concolor
gottschei
  



    
  

  
    infraspecificEpithet
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/infraspecificEpithet
    Definition The name of the lowest or terminal infraspecific of the dwc:scientificName.
    Comments In botany, name strings in literature and identifications may have multiple infraspecific ranks. According to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen 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. Use dwc:verbatimIdentification for the full name string used in a dwc:Identification. 
    Examples concolor (for scientificName Puma concolor concolor)
oxyadenia (for scientificName Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia)
laxa (for scientificName Cheilanthes hirta f. laxa)
scaberrima (for scientificName Indigofera charlieriana var. scaberrima)
  



    
  

  
    cultivarEpithet
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/cultivarEpithet
    Definition Part of the name of a cultivar, cultivar group or grex that follows the dwc:scientificName.
    Comments According 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/taxonRank
    Definition The taxonomic rank of the most specific name in the dwc:scientificName.
    Comments Recommended 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 (Shenzhen Code Articles H3.2, H4.4 and H.3.1).
    Examples subspecies
varietas
forma
species
genus
nothogenus
nothospecies
nothosubspecies
  



    
  

  
    verbatimTaxonRank
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/verbatimTaxonRank
    Definition The 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/scientificNameAuthorship
    Definition The 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/vernacularName
    Definition A common or vernacular name.
    Comments 
    Examples cóndor andino
death cap
rainbow trout
Gänsegeier
smoky quartz
  



    
  

  
    nomenclaturalCode
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/nomenclaturalCode
    Definition The nomenclatural code (or codes in the case of an ambiregnal name) under which the dwc:scientificName is constructed.
    Comments Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary.
    Examples ICN
ICZN
BC
ICNCP
BioCode
  



    
  

  
    taxonomicStatus
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/taxonomicStatus
    Definition The 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.
    Comments Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary.
    Examples invalid
misapplied
homotypic synonym
accepted
  



    
  

  
    nomenclaturalStatus
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/nomenclaturalStatus
    Definition The 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/taxonRemarks
    Definition Comments or notes about the taxon or name.
    Comments 
    Examples this name is a misspelling in common use
  



## UsagePolicy



  



  
    UsagePolicy Class
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/UsagePolicy
    Definition Information about rights, usage, and attribution statements applicable to an entity.
    Comments This is a convenience class to group related properties.
    Examples 
  




## LivingSpecimen



  



  
    LivingSpecimen Class
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/LivingSpecimen
    Definition A specimen that is alive.
    Comments 
    Examples a living plant in a botanical garden
a living animal in a zoo
  




## PreservedSpecimen



  



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




## FossilSpecimen



  



  
    FossilSpecimen Class
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/FossilSpecimen
    Definition A 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/MaterialCitation
    Definition A reference to or citation of one, a part of, or multiple specimens in scholarly publications.
    Comments This 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/HumanObservation
    Definition An 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/MachineObservation
    Definition An 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
  




## UseWithIRI

For more information on `UseWithIRI`, see [Section 2.5 of the RDF Guide](https://dwc.tdwg.org/rdf/#25-terms-in-the-dwciri-namespace-normative).


      assayType
      assertionBy
      assertionType
      assertionUnit
      assertionValue
      behavior
      caste
      dataGeneralizations
      degreeOfEstablishment
      disposition
      earliestGeochronologicalEra
      establishmentMeans
      eventCategory
      eventType
      fieldNotes
      fieldNumber
      footprintSRS
      footprintWKT
      fundingAttribution
      fromLithostratigraphicUnit
      geodeticDatum
      georeferencedBy
      georeferenceProtocol
      georeferenceSources
      georeferenceVerificationStatus
      habitat
      identificationQualifier
      identificationType
      identificationVerificationStatus
      identifiedBy
      inCollection
      inDataset
      inDescribedPlace
      informationWithheld
      language
      latestGeochronologicalEra
      lifeStage
      locationAccordingTo
      materialEntityCategory
      materialEntityType
      measurementDeterminedBy
      measurementMethod
      measurementType
      measurementUnit
      measurementValue
      occurrenceStatus
      organismInteractionType
      organismQuantityType
      organismScope
      pathway
      preferredSpatialRepresentation
      preparations
      protocolType
      recordedBy
      recordNumber
      reproductiveCondition
      sampledSubstrateCategory
      sampledSubstrateLayer
      sampleSizeUnit
      samplingProtocol
      sex
      siteNumber
      taxonFormula
      toDigitalSpecimen
      toTaxon
      typeStatus
      verbatimCoordinateSystem
      verbatimSRS
      verticalDatum
      vitality
  




  

  
    assayType
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/assayType
    Definition A type of method used in a study to detect taxon/taxa of interest in a dwc:MaterialEntity.
    Comments Recommended 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 
  



  

  
    assertionBy
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/assertionBy
    Definition An IRI identifying a dcterms:Agent responsible for making a dwc:Assertion.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    assertionType
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/assertionType
    Definition A category that best matches the nature of a dwc:Assertion.
    Comments Recommended 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 
  



  

  
    assertionUnit
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/assertionUnit
    Definition A unit associated with the value in dwc:assertionValue.
    Comments Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Ontology of Units of Measure http://www.ontology-of-units-of-measure.org for SI units, derived units, or other non-SI units accepted for use within the SI. Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples http://www.ontology-of-units-of-measure.org/resource/om-2/metre
http://www.ontology-of-units-of-measure.org/resource/om-2/second-Time
  



  

  
    assertionValue
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/assertionValue
    Definition An asserted value.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/L22/current/TOOL0960/
  



  

  
    behavior
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/behavior
    Definition A behavior shown by a dwc:Organism.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    caste
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/caste
    Definition A social caste of a dwc:Organism.
    Comments Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary that aligns best with a dwc:Taxon. Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    dataGeneralizations
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/dataGeneralizations
    Definition Actions 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.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    degreeOfEstablishment
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/degreeOfEstablishment
    Definition The degree to which a dwc:Organism survives, reproduces, and expands its range at the given place and time.
    Comments Recommended 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 http://rs.tdwg.org/dwcdoe/values/d003
http://rs.tdwg.org/dwcdoe/values/d005
  



  

  
    disposition
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/disposition
    Definition A current state of a dwc:MaterialEntity with respect to where it can be found.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/earliestGeochronologicalEra
    Definition Use 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.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/establishmentMeans
    Definition Statement about whether a dwc:Organism has been introduced to a given place and time through the direct or indirect activity of modern humans.
    Comments Recommended 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 http://rs.tdwg.org/dwcem/values/e001
http://rs.tdwg.org/dwcem/values/e005
  



  

  
    eventCategory
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/eventCategory
    Definition A broad category that best matches the nature of a dwc:Event.
    Comments Recommended best practice is to use a limited, tightly controlled vocabulary. Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    eventType
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/eventType
    Definition A narrow category that best matches the nature of a dwc:Event.
    Comments Recommended 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 
  



  

  
    fieldNotes
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/fieldNotes
    Definition One 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.
    Comments The subject is a dwc:Event instance and the object is a (possibly IRI-identified) resource that is the field notes.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    fieldNumber
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/fieldNumber
    Definition An identifier given to a dwc:Event in the field.
    Comments Often serves as a link between field notes and a dwc:Event. Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    footprintSRS
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/footprintSRS
    Definition The ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which the geometry given in dwc:footprintWKT is based.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/footprintWKT
    Definition A 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.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    fundingAttribution
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/fundingAttribution
    Definition An organization or agency that provided funding for a project.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    fromLithostratigraphicUnit
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/fromLithostratigraphicUnit
    Definition Use to link a dwc:GeologicalContext instance to an IRI-identified lithostratigraphic unit at the lowest possible level in a hierarchy.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/geodeticDatum
    Definition The ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which the geographic coordinates given in dwc:decimalLatitude and dwc:decimalLongitude are based.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/georeferencedBy
    Definition An IRI identifying a dcterms:Agent responsible for providing a georeference.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    georeferenceProtocol
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/georeferenceProtocol
    Definition A description or reference to a dwc:Protocol used to determine a spatial footprint, coordinates, and uncertainties.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    georeferenceSources
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/georeferenceSources
    Definition An IRI for a map, gazetteer, or other resource used to georeference a dcterms:Location.
    Comments Recommended best practice is describe a georeference with no more than one sampled georeference source. In the case of a georeference that cannot be attributed to a specific source, the recommended best practice is to repeat the property for each IRI that denotes a different source that applies to the georeference. Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    georeferenceVerificationStatus
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/georeferenceVerificationStatus
    Definition A 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.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/habitat
    Definition A category or description of the habitat in which the dwc:Event occurred.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    identificationQualifier
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/identificationQualifier
    Definition A controlled value to express the determiner's doubts about the dwc:Identification.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    identificationType
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/identificationType
    Definition A category that best matches the nature of a dwc:Identification.
    Comments The evidentiary basis, analytical approach, or inferential method by which an identification was determined. Values describe the dominant source of information supporting the identification (e.g., morphology, geography, molecular data, functional attributes, relationships, or taxonomic revision), independent of confidence level or taxonomic outcome. Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    identificationVerificationStatus
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/identificationVerificationStatus
    Definition A categorical indicator of the extent to which a taxonomic determination has been verified to be correct.
    Comments Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as that used in HISPID and ABCD. Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    identifiedBy
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/identifiedBy
    Definition An IRI identifying a dcterms:Agent responsible for making a dwc:Identification.
    Comments When used in the context of an eco:Survey, the subject consists of all of the dwc:Identifications related to the eco:Survey. Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    inCollection
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/inCollection
    Definition Use to link any subject resource that is part of a collection to the collection containing the resource.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/inDataset
    Definition Use to link a subject dataset record to the dataset which contains it.
    Comments A string literal name of the dataset can be provided using the term dwc:datasetName. See the Darwin Core RDF Guide for details.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    inDescribedPlace
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/inDescribedPlace
    Definition Use to link a dcterms:Location instance subject to the lowest level standardized hierarchically-described resource.
    Comments Recommended 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.
    Examples http://vocab.getty.edu/tgn/1019987
  



  

  
    informationWithheld
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/informationWithheld
    Definition Additional information that exists about a resource, but that is not shared publicly. Suggests that alternative data of higher quality may be available on request.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



    
  

  
    language
    Identifier http://purl.org/dc/terms/language
    Definition A language of the resource.
    Comments Recommended best practice is to use an IRI from the Library of Congress ISO 639-2 scheme http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/iso639-2
    Examples 
  



  

  
    latestGeochronologicalEra
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/latestGeochronologicalEra
    Definition Use 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.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/lifeStage
    Definition An age class or life stage of a dwc:Organism.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/locationAccordingTo
    Definition Information about the source of this dcterms:Location information. Could be a publication (gazetteer), institution, or team of individuals.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    materialEntityCategory
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/materialEntityCategory
    Definition A high-level, mutually exclusive classification describing the fundamental substance and origin of a dwc:MaterialEntity.
    Comments Recommended best practice is to use a limited, tightly controlled vocabulary. Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    materialEntityType
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/materialEntityType
    Definition A more generic classification of a dwc:MaterialEntity than dwc:preparations but less broad than dwc:materialCategory.
    Comments A more generic classification of a dwc:MaterialEntity than dwc:preparations. Recommended 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 
  



  

  
    measurementDeterminedBy
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/measurementDeterminedBy
    Definition A person, group, or organization who determined the value of the dwc:MeasurementOrFact.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    measurementMethod
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/measurementMethod
    Definition The method or protocol used to determine the measurement, fact, characteristic, or assertion.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    measurementType
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/measurementType
    Definition The nature of the measurement, fact, characteristic, or assertion.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/measurementUnit
    Definition The units associated with the dwc:measurementValue.
    Comments 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 
  



  

  
    measurementValue
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/measurementValue
    Definition The value of the measurement, fact, characteristic, or assertion.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/L22/current/TOOL0960/
  



  

  
    occurrenceStatus
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/occurrenceStatus
    Definition A statement about the detection or non-detection of a dwc:Organism during a dwc:Event.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    organismInteractionType
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/organismInteractionType
    Definition A category that best matches the nature of a dwc:OrganismInteraction.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/organismQuantityType
    Definition The type of quantification system used for the quantity of organisms.
    Comments A dwc:organismQuantityType must have a corresponding dwc:organismQuantity.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    organismScope
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/organismScope
    Definition A 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.
    Comments Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary. This term is not intended to be used to specify a type of dwc:Taxon. Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    pathway
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/pathway
    Definition The process by which a dwc:Organism came to be in a given place at a given time.
    Comments Recommended 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 http://rs.tdwg.org/dwcpw/values/p002
http://rs.tdwg.org/dwcpw/values/p046
  



  

  
    preferredSpatialRepresentation
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/preferredSpatialRepresentation
    Definition An indication of which spatial representation best represents the dcterms:Location.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    preparations
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/preparations
    Definition A preparation or preservation method for a specimen.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    protocolType
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/protocolType
    Definition A category that best matches the nature of a dwc:Protocol.
    Comments Recommended 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 
  



  

  
    recordedBy
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/recordedBy
    Definition An IRI identifying a dcterms:Agent responsible for recording a dwc:Occurrence.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    recordNumber
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/recordNumber
    Definition An 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.
    Comments The subject is a dwc:Occurrence and the object is a (possibly IRI-identified) resource that is the field notes.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    reproductiveCondition
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/reproductiveCondition
    Definition A reproductive condition of a dwc:Organism.
    Comments Recommended 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 
  



  

  
    sampledSubstrateCategory
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/sampledSubstrateCategory
    Definition A category or type of substrate sampled during a dwc:Event.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    sampledSubstrateLayer
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/sampledSubstrateLayer
    Definition An IRI identifying a substrate layer sampled during a dwc:Event.
    Comments Recommended best practice is describe a dwc:Event with no more than one sampled substrate layer. In the case of a dwc:Event that cannot be attributed to a specific layer, the recommended best practice is to repeat the property for each IRI that denotes a different layer that applies to the dwc:Event. Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    sampleSizeUnit
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/sampleSizeUnit
    Definition The unit of measurement of the size (time duration, length, area, or volume) of a sample in a sampling dwc:Event.
    Comments A 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/samplingProtocol
    Definition The methods or protocols used during a dwc:Event, denoted by an IRI.
    Comments Recommended best practice is to 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.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    sex
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/sex
    Definition A sex of a dwc:Organism.
    Comments Recommended 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 
  



  

  
    siteNumber
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/siteNumber
    Definition An identifier for a named site.
    Comments Usually an institutional identifier for a specific named place as opposed to dwc:locationID, which is an identifier for the entire set of distinct information for an instance of dcterms:Location. This term differs from dwciri:fieldNumber in that dwciri:siteNumber is not related strictly to one dwc:Event. Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    taxonFormula
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/taxonFormula
    Definition A pattern to use to construct a dwc:Identification from dwc:Taxon names and identification qualifiers.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/toDigitalSpecimen
    Definition Use to link a dwc:Identification instance subject to a taxonomic entity such as a taxon, taxon concept, or taxon name use.
    Comments Use to link a dwc:MaterialEntity instance subject to a Digital Specimem entity.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    toTaxon
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/toTaxon
    Definition Use to link a dwc:Identification instance subject to a taxonomic entity such as a taxon, taxon concept, or taxon name use.
    Comments A "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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/typeStatus
    Definition A nomenclatural type (type status, typified scientific name, publication) applied to the subject.
    Comments Terms in the dwciri: namespace are intended to be used in RDF with non-literal objects.
    Examples 
  



  

  
    verbatimCoordinateSystem
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/verbatimCoordinateSystem
    Definition A coordinate format for dwc:verbatimLatitude and dwc:verbatimLongitude or dwc:verbatimCoordinates.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/verbatimSRS
    Definition The ellipsoid, geodetic datum, or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which coordinates given in dwc:verbatimLatitude and dwc:verbatimLongitude, or dwc:verbatimCoordinates are based.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/verticalDatum
    Definition The vertical datum used as the reference upon which the values in the elevation terms are based.
    Comments Recommended 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
    Identifier http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/iri/vitality
    Definition An indication of whether a dwc:Organism was alive or dead at the time of collection or observation.
    Comments Recommended 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 
  



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

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