2. Descriptors Standard

[brycefrank]

This Descriptors Standard provides guidance on how to properly describe models using a set of common descriptors.

2.1. Describing Taxonomic Information

Taxonomic information specifies the family, genus and species to which a model applies. The publication text should clearly indicate the taxonomic assignment.

• 2.1.1. Taxonomic information must be described using the Taxa and Taxon classes, which specify the taxonomic hierarchy from family to species levels
• 2.1.2. Common names should not be used in the descriptors field
• 2.1.3. Use the species_group field to refer to groups of species used in the publication, e.g. "hardwoods"

2.2. Describing Geographic Information

Geographic information specifies the locations from which the data were sourced to build the model, or where the models are intended to be applied. In either case, the publication text must clearly specify the data source or the applied area, respectively.

• 2.2.1. Use the country field to describe the countries from which data were collected to form models. Values for the country field must come from ISO_3166-1. Refer to the ISOcodes R pacakge.
• 2.2.2. Use the region field to describe the states, provinces, etc. from which the data were collected to form models. Values for the region field must come from ISO_3166-2. Refer to the ISOcodes R pacakge.
• 2.2.3. Use the geographic_region field to describe vaguer forms of the location of data given in the publication that do not comply with the country and region ISO field requirements. For example "westside" or "Rocky Mountains".

2.3. Other Information

• 2.3.1. Use the age_class field to define intervals of ages that apply to a species, e.g., ">= 40", "10 - 20". Units are assumed to be years unless otherwise indicated.
• 2.3.2. Use the dia_class field to define diameter size classes, e.g., "> 10 cm". Assumed to apply to DBH.