NPS Data Store: Data Standards Information

NPS Data Standards
Data layer and database table standards (data standards) are the cornerstone of any enterprise data system architecture. The National Park Service Natural Resource and Geographic Information Systems programs (NPS) are currently developing service-wide data standards. The data standards process is composed of two separate efforts: the GIS data layers standards process and the Natural Resource Database Template (NRDT) database table standards process. The NPS Data Store is the primary application supporting the standards review and adoption process as well as for distributing adopted standards. For more information on GIS layer standards visit: http://www.nps.gov/gis/data_info/nps_standards.html. For more information on the NRDT and database table standards visit: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/apps/template/index.htm.
Data Standards FAQs:
How does the NR-GIS data standards process work?

Who should use NR-GIS data standards?

How can I find the most current NR-GIS data standards?

What is a Natural Resource Database Template (NRDT) data standard?

What is the Natural Resource Database Template (NRDT)?


Data Standards FAQ Answers:
How does the NR-GIS data standards process work?
The National Park Service GIS Committee (GISC) has developed a process for proposing, reviewing and adopting GIS layer data standards. The process involves a standard development committee composed of parties knowledgeable in a layer theme area that proposes and guides a data standard through several review steps before adoption by the GISC. Adopted GIS standards are expected to be used by anyone creating data sets that fall under the purview of an adopted GIS standard. Natural Resource Database Template (NRDT) data standards are composed of one or more database tables that store data for a natural resource inventory or monitoring project. The NRDT standards process is modeled on the GISC standards process, but is streamlined somewhat. Adopted NRDT standards have been reviewed at least twice by the NRDT Data Standards Committee and the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program data management community at large for completeness, best practices database design and conformance to recommended naming conventions. NRDT data standards will be posted for review and as adopted standards on the NR-GIS Data Store at: http://science.nature.nps.gov/nrdata.
More information... An example NRDT data standard for project-related personnel contact information can be accessed at: http://science.nature.nps.gov/nrdata/metadata.cfm?ID=37537

Who should use NR-GIS data standards?
Data standards are intended for developers of National Park Service data sets. GIS data standards users are usually GIS specialists who create datasets to support service-wide data analysis or data management projects (e.g. Boundaries, FMSS or National Trails data) or who want to conform to service-wide conventions for GIS data management. Natural Resource Database Template (NRDT) standards users are typically developers creating natural resource database applications for I&M Networks. All NPS employees, partners and contractors are encouraged to use GIS and NRDT data standards to promote consistency in data structures and facilitate the exchange of NPS data sets.
More information... GIS layer standards: http://www.nps.gov/gis/data_info/nps_standards.html NRDT data standards: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/apps/template/index.htm

How can I find the most current NR-GIS data standards?
The most current version of all GIS or NRDT data standards are available on the NR-GIS Data Store: http://science.nature.nps.gov/nrdata/index.cfm Select Data Standard from the Search Type on the left-hand side of the page, (you can also set NPS Unit, Category and Word Search parameters if desired) and click Search. The search results can be sorted by any column by clicking the column header.
More information... GIS layer standards: http://www.nps.gov/gis/data_info/nps_standards.html NRDT data standards: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/apps/template/index.htm

What is a Natural Resource Database Template (NRDT) data standard?
The Natural Resource Database Template (NRDT) is a standard database core developed in Microsoft Access for managing natural resource inventory and monitoring project data. NRDT data standards are composed of one or more data tables that manage data for a specific aspect of a project. Adopted NRDT standards have been reviewed at least twice by the NRDT Data Standards Committee and the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program data management community at large for completeness, best-practices database design and conformance to recommended naming conventions. NRDT data standards will be posted for review and as adopted standards on the NR-GIS Data Store at: http://science.nature.nps.gov/nrdata.
More information... An example NRDT data standard for project-related personnel contact information can be accessed at http://science.nature.nps.gov/nrdata/metadata.cfm?ID=37537.

What is the Natural Resource Database Template (NRDT)?
The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program's Natural Resource Database Template (NRDT) is a set of Microsoft Access relational database tables that parks and networks can use to develop natural resource inventory and monitoring applications. The NRDT is a core database structure that can be modified and built upon by different parks and networks depending on the components of their inventory and monitoring program and the specific sampling protocols they use. For example, three different parks may have developed protocols and corresponding database objects for collecting and managing weather data. Other parks could then use or modify any of these protocols and database objects to best meet their needs.
More information... Natural Resource Database Template (NRDT): http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/apps/template/index.htm Monitoring protocols that include a NRDT-based application are available through the web-based monitoring protocol clearinghouse at: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/monitor/protocoldb.cfm