NatureServe Species Occurrence Schema (2006-02-09, current)

Set to true if the locational information on this Species Occurrence (SO) is sensitive and should be restricted from unsecured use.

The primary system generated identifier used in NatureServe's Biotics 4.0 system to uniquely identify a species occurrence.

Three-digit number that identifies the Species Occurrence (SO) at it's source Heritage program

Twelve-digit number that identifies the Species Occurrence (SO) used at Heritag programs that are still using the previous Heritage methodology and the Biological and Conservation Data system in which SOs were located on paper maps using dots.

The primary system generated identifier used in NatureServe's Biotics 4.0 system to uniquely identify a shape.

Date that the Species Occurrence (SO) was first reported at the site.

Date that the Species Occurrence (SO) was last reported at the site.

General (capsule) description or word picture of the area where the Species Occurrence (SO) is located (i.e., the physical setting/context surrounding the SO), including a list of adjacent communities. Also, when available, information on surrounding land use should be included. .

The total area, in acres, of the Species Occurrence (SO), which is measured or estimated during field work.

The total area, in hectares, of the Species Occurrence (SO), which is measured or estimated during field work.

Date of the last (i.e., the most recent) field survey for the Species Occurrence (SO), regardless of whether it was found during the visit.

Data collected on the biology of this Species Occurrence (SO), including the number of individuals, vigor, habitat, soils, associated species, peculiar characteristics, etc.

Quantitative measure of the area and/or abundance of the Species Occurrence (SO). Components of this factor are:

• a) area of occupancy, in acres;
• b) population abundance, (i.e., total count or qualitative estimate) (for species);
• c) population density (for species);
• d) population fluctuation (for species).

An integrated measure of the quality of biotic and abiotic factors, structures, and processes within the Species Occurrence (SO), and the degree to which they affect the continued existence of the occurrence. Components of this factor are:

• a) reproduction and health (for species);
• b) ecological processes;
• c) species composition and biological structure;
• d) abiotic physical/chemical factors.

An integrated measure of the quality of biotic and abiotic factors, structures, and processes surrounding the Species Occurrence (SO), and the degree to which they affect the continued existence of the occurrence. Components of this factor are:

• a) landscape structure and extent surrounding the SO, including genetic connectivity;
• b) ecological processes in the surrounding landscape context;
• c) species composition and biological structure of the surrounding landscape context;
• d) abiotic physical/chemical factors in the surrounding landscape context.

A calculated percentage for the area of the Species Occurrence representation (SO rep) that was observed to be occupied by the species (versus area added for locational uncertainty).

A code that indicates the approximate percentage of the Species Occurrence Representation (SO Rep) that was observed to be occupied by the Species (versus area added for locational uncertainty). Use of estimated representation accuracy provides a common index for the consistent comparison of SO reps, thus helping to ensure that aggregated data are correctly analyzed and interpreted.
Domain values for Estimated Representation Accuracy are

• Very high
• High
• Medium
• Low
• Very Low
• Unknown
• (null) - Not assessed

Comments related to the value entered in the Estimated Representation Accuracy field for the Species Occurrence representation (SO rep).

The code that indicates whether the full extent of the Species is known (i.e., has been determined through field survey) at that location and, therefore, is represented by the Species Occurrence (SO).
Valid values for Confidence Extent are

• Y - Confident full extent of SO is known
• N - Confident full extent of SO is NOT known
• ? - Uncertain whether full extent of SO is known
• (null) - Not assessed

Value indicates the descriptive label assigned to observed areas of migratory animal species that utilize geographically and seasonally disjunct locations. The migratory animal type indicates which season or behavior is associated with a particular area, and is used to ensure that all of the different locations utilized by such a species throughout its life cycle are identified and considered for protection.

Valid values are:

• Not applicable
• Breeding
• Nonbreeding
• Migratory Stopover
• Migratory Corridor
• Staging
• Hibernaculum
• Maternity Colony
• Bachelor Colony
• Adult foraging area
• Juvenile foraging area
• Freshwater
• Estuarine
• Marine
• Nesting area
• Calving area
• Nursery area
• Nonmigratory
• Undetermined

A single-letter code for the precision used to map the Species Occurrence (SO) on a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5’ (or 15’) topographic quadrangle map or a Canadian National Topographic System (NTS) 1:50,000 (or 1:250,000) scale map, based on the previous Heritage methodology and the Biological and Conservation Data system in which SOs were located on paper maps using dots.

The code that indicates the relative value of the Species Occurrence (SO) with respect to other occurrences of the Species, based on an assessment of estimated viability, i.e., the probability of persistence (based on condition, size, and landscape context) of occurrences of a given Species. In other words, SO ranks provide an assessment of the likelihood that if current conditions prevail the occurrence will persist for a defined period of time, typically 20-100 years.

SO ranks may be used effectively in conjunction with Heritage Conservation Status Ranks for the Species to guide which occurrences should be recorded and mapped, and to help prioritize SOs for purposes of conservation planning or action, both locally and rangewide.

• A - Excellent estimated viability/ecological integrity
• A? - Possibly excellent estimated viability/ecological integrity
• AB - Excellent or good estimated viability/ecological integrity
• AC - Excellent, good, or fair estimated viability/ecological integrity
• B - Good estimated viability/ecological integrity
• B? - Possibly good estimated viability/ecological integrity
• BC - Good or fair estimated viability/ecological integrity
• BD - Good, fair, or poor estimated viability/ecological integrity
• C - Fair estimated viability/ecological integrity
• C? - Possibly fair estimated viability/ecological integrity
• CD - Fair or poor estimated viability/ecological integrity
• D - Poor estimated viability/ecological integrity
• D? - Possibly poor estimated viability/ecological integrity
• E - Verified extant (viability/ecological integrity not assessed)
• F - Failed to find
• F? - Possibly failed to find
• H - Historical
• H? - Possibly historical
• X - Extirpated
• X? - Possibly extirpated
• U - Unrankable
• NR - Not ranked

Date of the field survey on which the Species Occurrence (SO) rank is based.

Value that indicates whether the Species Occurrence (SO) is not (or is possibly not) native to that location or natural in origin, if appropriate.

• i - Introduced
• i? - Possibly introduced
• r - Reintroduced/restored
• r? - Possibly reintroduced/restored

Nation code(s), as determined by the International Standards Organization (ISO), corresponding to the county(s) within which the Species Occurrence (SO) is located.

State or province code(s) corresponding to the county(s) within which the Species Occurrence (SO) is located.

County name(s) within which the Species Occurrence (SO) is located.

The code(s) for the county(s) within which the Species Occurrence is located. The "type" attribute indicates the type of code.

FIPS Code: USGS-Standard code for the county in which the Species is located (for U.S. counties only). The FIPS code combines the County FIPS and State FIPS codes.

For more information on the FIPS code see http://www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/fip6-4.htm

The name of the managed area, if any, within which the Species Occurrence (SO) is protected

The unique identifier of the managed area, if any, within which the Species Occurrence (SO) is protected

The name of the Site, if any, in which this Species Occurrence is located. The boundaries of a Site may be defined by various activities, including conservation planning, ecological description (e.g., field surveys), and land-use planning. A Site may have the same boundary as a Managed Area; however, the record created for a Site (fundamentally defined according to scientific and ecological characteristics) differs from that of a Managed Area, which contains management information. Conservation Site records also include a summary of design considerations and pertinent real estate, protection, and stewardship concerns.

The unique identifier of the Site, if any, within which the Species Occurrence (SO) is protected

The name corresponding to the US Geological Survey Hydrologic Unit for each watershed within which the Species Occurrence is located.

For more information on US Geological Survey Hydrologic Unit Maps see http://water.usgs.gov/GIS/huc.html

Watershed(s), identified according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Unit Map 8-digit code, within which the Species Occurrence (SO) is located.

Unique identifier(s) for any U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5´ (or 15´) topographic quadrangle maps or Canadian National Topographic System (NTS) 1:50,000 (or 1:250,000) scale maps on which the Species Occurrence Representation (SO Rep) is located.

The full name of each incorporated town, township, or borough in which the Species Occurrence (SO) is located.

United States rectangular land survey (also known as the Public Land Survey System) meridian used to reference the location of the Species Occurrence (SO) for each township listed in the associated Town Range column.

United States rectangular land survey (also known as the Public Land Survey System) legal township and range descriptions that best define the location of the Species Occurrence (SO).

United States rectangular land survey (also known as the Public Land Survey System) legal section division(s) that best describe(s) the location of the Species Occurrence (SO) in each township listed in the associated Town Range column.

Notes related to the United States rectangular land survey (also known as the Public Land Survey System) legal divisions used to reference the location of the Species Occurrence (SO) for each township listed in the associated Town Range column.

Minimum elevation of the area covered by the Species Occurrence (SO). The minimum elevation should represent the lowest altitude in feet, above or below sea level, at which the SO is found.

Maximum elevation of the area covered by the Species Occurrence (SO). The maximum elevation should represent the lowest altitude in feet, above or below sea level, at which the SO is found.

Minimum elevation of the area covered by the Species Occurrence (SO). The minimum elevation should represent the lowest altitude in meters, above or below sea level, at which the SO is found.

Maximum elevation of the area covered by the Species Occurrence (SO). The maximum elevation should represent the lowest altitude in meters, above or below sea level, at which the SO is found.

The actual latitude of the centrum of the Species Occurrence (SO)

The actual longitude of the centrum of the Species Occurrence (SO)

An Species Occurrence Spatial Representation is a spatial feature (specifically, a polygon) that delineates the boundaries of the occurrence on a map, either paper or digital. A spatial representation is developed on the basis of the area observed to be occupied by the Species.

A status assigned by an organization other than NatureServe.

U.S. Endangered Species Act: Current status of the taxon as designated or proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) or the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, and as reported in the U.S. Federal Register in accordance with the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. For more information see U.S. ESA.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Status: Abbreviations used to indicate the at-risk category assigned by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). For more information see COSEWIC.

U.S. Federal Status Date: Date of publication of the United States Federal Status in the Federal Register. For more information see U.S. ESA.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Status Date: The date the at-risk category was assigned, revised, or reaffirmed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). For more information see COSEWIC.

Format: YYYY-MM-DD

Example: 2005-12-16

Comments on Official Statuses: Any comments necessary to explain the designated or interpreted status of the taxon under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (USESA). Differences in taxonomic treatment or nomenclature between the regulating agency and NatureServe are discussed. In addition, further documentation and clarification regarding the status of the species may be included. For example, if a species is delisted, the information and/or reasoning behind the decision is described in this field. For more information see U.S. ESA.

Primary sources for information contained within NatureServe's Central Databases.

Date of the current version of this Species Occurrence (SO) record (i.e., the date that this record was first completed, or since then, comprehensively revised).

Name of each individual contact with information on the Species Occurrence (SO).

Full name(s) of the organization(s) (and pertinent levels within the organization[s]) with which a contact is affiliated.

Telephone number(s), including area code, for a contact.

E-mail address for a contact.