Term guide

Below we list each element that can be found in ESS-DIVE's location metadata reporting format templates. We provide the name of each element, whether that element is required or optional, a brief definition, formatting requirements, and an example.

---

metadata_element	Submission_Contact_Name
requirement_level	required
definition	Name of contact person for locations
format	Free text
example	Robert Crystal-Ornelas

metadata_element	Submission_Contact_Email
requirement_level	required
definition	Email of contact person for locations
format	Free text
example	[e-mail]

metadata_element	Location_ID
requirement_level	required
definition	An identifier that uniquely identifies the point location coordinates. The identifier can be globally unique or assigned by a project and is unique
format	Free text
example	AC-423

metadata_element	Description
requirement_level	required
definition	Text description of location
format	Free text
example	Hill slope that is seasonally covered in tall grasses. Soil samples are routinely collected in this location.

metadata_element	Latitude
requirement_level	required
definition	Latitude for point location provided in decimal degrees
format	numeric
example	37.874921

metadata_element	Longitude
requirement_level	required
definition	Longitude for point location provided in decimal degrees
format	numeric
example	-122.252898

metadata_element	Elevation
requirement_level	recommended
definition	Elevation at point with respect to earth's surface given as a heigh or depth relative to ground surface
format	numeric
example	396.24

metadata_element	Location_Alias
requirement_level	optional
definition	Other names used for this location
format	Free text
example	LBNL-hillslope

metadata_element	Parent_Location_ID
requirement_level	optional
definition	Location_ID for any hierarchically related locations
format	Free text
example	AC-400

metadata_element	Projection
requirement_level	optional
definition	Indicate the datum used for mapping you location (e.g., WGS84 or NAD83)
format	Free text
example	WGS84

metadata_element	Measurement_Method
requirement_level	optional
definition	Instrument used to measure latitude and longitude at point location
format	Free text
example	Garmin eTrex 10

metadata_element	UTC_Offset
requirement_level	optional
definition	Offset of location's time zone relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
format	Numeric
example	-7

metadata_element	Location_DateTime_Start
requirement_level	optional
definition	Date and time when location was first used in research
format	YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS
example	2019-03-01 9:00:01

metadata_element	Location_Date_End
requirement_level	optional
definition	Date when location was last used in research
format	YYYY-MM-DD
example	2020-01-23

metadata_element	Institution
requirement_level	optional
definition	Institution affiliated with location
format	Free text
example	Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

metadata_element	Country
requirement_level	optional
definition	Country where location is sited
format	Free text
example	United States of America

metadata_element	Notes
requirement_level	optional
definition	Notes that can provide additional context to location
format	Free text
example	Soil sampling has been discontinued at this location, but were taken quarterly when in use.