SEDAC
Home
Metadata Overview Guide Keywords Training Catalogs Links
CIESIN's Guide to FGDC Compliant Metadata

3. Spatial Data Organization Information

Spatial Data Organization Information is the mechanism used to represent spatial information in the dataset.

3. Spatial Data Organization Information  (Mandatory if Applicable).

CONTAINS:

3.1 Indirect Spatial Reference  (Mandatory if Applicable) AND
3.2 - 3.4 Direct Spatial Reference  (Mandatory if Applicable)

3.2 - 3.4 CONTAINS:

3.2 Direct Spatial Reference Method  (Mandatory) AND
3.3 - 3.4 Spatial Object Information   (Optional)

3.3 - 3.4 CONTAINS:

3.3 Point and Vector Object Information  (Mandatory) OR
3.4 Raster Object Information  (Mandatory)

NOTE: This guide only provides information concerning optionality at the section level and top level elements within each section. Keep in mind that the optionality of a section or compound element always takes precedence over the elements that it contains, and if deemed applicable, then the optionality of its subordinate elements is to be interpreted. Refer to either the FGDC Metadata Workbook, Version 2.0 or Section 3 of the USGS's "Image Map of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata", a graphical representation of the Standard for rules concerning optionality.


3.1 Indirect Spatial Reference

Definition: Name of types of geographic features, addressing schemes, or other means through which locations are referenced in the dataset.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Indirect Spatial Reference
: Street Addresses
Indirect Spatial Reference
: FIPS Code
Indirect Spatial Reference
: Bergen County


3.2 Direct Spatial Reference Method

Definition: The system of objects used to represent space in the dataset.

Format: Text; Select from list.

Example:
Direct Spatial Reference Method
: Point
Direct Spatial Reference Method
: Vector
Direct Spatial Reference Method
: Raster


3.3 Point and Vector Object Information

Definition: The types and numbers of vector or nongridded point spatial objects in the dataset. This metadata element contains the following sub-elements:

3.3.1 SDTS Terms Description

Definition: Point and vector object information (Note that this reference to the SDTS is used ONLY to provide a set of terminology for the point and vector objects).1

3.3.1.1 SDTS Point and Vector Object Type

Definition: Name of point and vector spatial objects used to locate zero-, one-, and two-dimensional spatial locations in the dataset.

Format: Text; Select from list.

Example:
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Point
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Entity Point
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Label Point
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Area Point
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Node, Planar Graph
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Node, Network
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: String
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Link
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Complete Chain
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Area Chain
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Network Chain
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Nonplanar Graph
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Circular Arc
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Three Point Center
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Elliptical Arc
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Uniform B-spline
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Piecewise Bezier
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Ring with Mixed Composition
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Ring Composed of Strings
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Ring Composed of Chains
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Ring Composed of Arcs
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: G-Polygon
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: GT-Polygon Composed of Rings
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: GT-Polygon Composed of Chains
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Universe Polygon Composed of Rings
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Universe Polygon Composed of Chains
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Void Polygon Composed of Rings
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type
: Void Polygon Composed of Chains

3.3.1.2 Point and Vector Object Count

Definition: The total number of the point or vector object type occurring in the dataset.

Format: Integer; Count > 0.


3.3.2 VPF Terms Description

Definition: Point and vector object information (Note that this reference to the VPF is used ONLY to provide a set of terminology for the point and vector objects).2

3.3.2.1 VPF Topology Level

Definition: The completeness of the topology carried by the dataset.

Format: Integer; Range from 0 to 3.

3.3.2.2 VPF Point and Vector Object Information

Definition: Information about VPF point and vector objects.

3.3.2.2.1 VPF Point and Vector Object Type

Definition: Name of point and vector spatial objects used to locate zero-, one-, and two-dimensional spatial locations in the dataset.

Format: Text; Select from list.

Example:
VPF Point and Vector Object Type
: Node
VPF Point and Vector Object Type
: Edge
VPF Point and Vector Object Type
: Face
VPF Point and Vector Object Type
: Text


3.4 Raster Object Information

Definition: The types and numbers of raster spatial objects in the dataset. This metadata element contains the following sub-elements:

3.4.1 Raster Object Type

Definition: Raster spatial objects used to locate zero-, two-, or three-dimensional locations in the dataset.1

Format: Text; Select from list.

Example:
Raster Object Type
: Point
Raster Object Type
: Pixel
Raster Object Type
: Grid Cell
Raster Object Type
: Voxel

3.4.2 Row Count

Definition: The maximum number of raster objects along the ordinate (y) axis; for use with rectangular raster objects.

Format: Integer; Row Count > 0.

3.4.3 Column Count

Definition: The maximum number of raster objects along the abscissa (x) axis; for use with rectangular raster objects.

Format: Integer; Column Count > 0.

3.4.4 Vertical Count

Definition: The maximum number of raster objects along the vertical (z) axis; for use with rectangular volumetric raster objects (voxels).

Format: Integer; Depth Count > 0.

References

1
U.S. Department of Commerce. 1992. "Spatial Data Concepts". Part 1, Chapter 2, in Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) (Federal Information Processing Standard 173). Washington, D.C: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology.

2
U.S. Department of Defense. 1992. Vector Product Format (MIL-SDT-600006). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Printing Service Detachment Office.
CIESIN's Guide to FGDC Compliant Metadata

CIESIN Home Page

Need help or information? Contact SEDAC User Services
About SEDAC  Acknowledgments

NASA Home Page SEDAC logo

Copyright © 1997-.
The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York.

Privacy Policy and Important Notices

This site is for review only.
Use data and services at your own risk.