Data Standards

General Data Guidelines

All datasets must use one of the standard templates. The predefined fields in the templates are the only fields that will be loaded as spatial files. The field names cannot be altered.

Template fields shaded yellow are required. Other fields may be deleted if they are not going to be used. You may add fields but any additional fields will be stored in the draft template only. They will not be loaded into the LRDW spatial view.

All of a project's original datasets, along with reports and other documents, are stored in the database filed under that project's title and identification number. These datasets are archival copies that can be downloaded in exactly the form that they were submitted. Only data that is formatted in the predefined fields within standard templates is loaded into tables that become a part of the Land Resource Data Warehouse spatial layers.

Spatial Data

Study area boundaries, blocks, transects, and flight lines are examples of information best presented as GIS spatial data. We presently store GIS spatial data in archival form only. Tabular information linked to spatial features such as study areas or sampling units can be stored in the Species Inventory Database tables. Spatial files can be utilized by downloading them and then incorporating them into your GIS project.

In the near future, we will load study area and sample unit features directly into the LRDW. This will allow tabular information to be rapidly and consistently updated and made available to users.

Submit spatial data as ArcMap shape files or E00 files in Albers Equal Area Conic (BC Albers) projection. The data table for the spatial file must include the Project ID (BAPID), Survey name, and Study Area. The unique labels for blocks, transects, or flight lines must be included as well. Point location data must be stored as records in the appropriate Excel data capture template.

In summary:

  1. Use standard Excel data capture templates
  2. Do not alter field names
  3. Yellow fields are required
  4. Only fields that are predefined in the standard templates will be loaded into the LRDW spatial tables.
  5. Other than the yellow fields, you may delete any of the predefined fields that you do not want to use.
  6. You may add any field that you want. Fields that you add will be stored in the archive version of the data. They will not be loaded into the LRDW spatial view.
  7. If you add your own fields, fill out the new field definitions worksheet to describe the field and any codes that you will use.
  8. Submit study areas, blocks, transects, or flightlines as ArcMap shape files or E00 files.
  9. Include project ID, survey name, study area name and the unique identifier for blocks, transects or flight lines in the spatial tables that accompany the features. Use exact names since these will allow you to link data tables.