Ecological data standards focus on the collection, management, and analysis of data related to ecosystems, biodiversity, and ecological processes. These standards help ecologists and researchers share and compare data, enabling more robust ecological studies and conservation efforts. Some prominent ecological data standards include:
Darwin Core
Acronym: DwC
Organisation responsible: Darwin Core Maintenance Interest Group
Official web page: https://dwc.tdwg.org/
Description: This standard provides a common set of terms and definitions for sharing biodiversity data, including species occurrence, taxonomy, and habitat information. Darwin Core is an extension of Dublin Core for biodiversity informatics
Current Version: Issued on 2021-07-15
Schema location: https://dwc.tdwg.org/list/
Standard: Not applicable
Type of data: Hierarchical data classification
Primary purpose : Structured data storage
API available: Not applicable
License details: Open standard
Data model (Power BI): Available on request
Ecological Metadata Language
Acronym: EML
Organisation responsible: NBS (UK)
Official web page: https://eml.ecoinformatics.org/
Description: EML is a metadata standard for documenting ecological datasets, including information about study design, sampling protocols, and variables measured.
Current Version: 2.2.0
Schema location: https://eml.ecoinformatics.org/schema/
Standard: Uniclass is now a requirement for BIM projects in the UK. It is cited in the national foreword of BS EN ISO 12006-2 and the national annex of BS EN 19650-2
Type of data: XML / Metadata
Primary purpose : Structured data storage / Structured data exchange
API available: Not applicable
License details: No license required
Data model (Power BI): Available on request
UK Habitat Classification
Acronym: UKHab
Organisation responsible: NBS (UK)
Official web page: https://ukhab.org/
Description: The UK Habitat Classification is a new, free-to-use, unified and comprehensive approach to classifying habitats, designed to provide a simple and robust approach to survey and monitoring for the 21st century.
Current Version: 2.0
Schema location: https://ukhab.org/v2-consultation/
Standard: Not applicable
Type of data: Hierarchical classification data
Primary purpose : Structured data storage
API available: Not applicable
License details: Free to use as a list but not allowed to be provided as part of a software solution, More details here
Data model (Power BI): Available on request in list form. Not as part of a paid software solution.
Biodiversity Metric
Acronym: BNG Metric
Organisation responsible: Natural England
Official web page: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england
Description: Biodiversity Metric 4.0 is a biodiversity accounting tool that can be used for the purposes of calculating biodiversity net gain.
Current Version: 4.0
Schema location: https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6049804846366720
Standard: Not applicable
Type of data: Hierarchical classification data
Primary purpose : Structured data exchange
API available: Not applicable
License details: No license required
Data model (Power BI): Available on request