ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Irish Spatial Data Infrastructure

ISDI Metadata Profile

Version 1.2

Volume 1

Spatial Dataset and Spatial Dataset Series

Department of Environment, Community

And Local Government
2013

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Purpose of this Document

The purpose of this document is to provide the outline of the partner agreed ISDI
Metadata Profile and to identify the metadata elements required to accurately
describe a spatial dataset or a spatial dataset series managed by the
organisations in the Irish Spatial Data Infrastructure.

Revision History
Version Description Author Date
1.0 ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial Trevor Alcorn 31/05/2011
datasets and dataset series)
version 1.0
1.1 Ad-hoc edits Gareth John 01/10/2012
1.2 Version 1.2 revision Trevor Alcorn 07/01/2013
Gareth John

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Contents

1. Overview of ISDI Metadata Profile ....................................................5

2 ISDI Metadata Profile for spatial dataset and spatial dataset
series...............................................................................................8
2.1 ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile of ISO 19115:2005 ....................8
2.2 Metadata for geographic data ................................................9
2.3 Metadata sections ...............................................................9
3 Metadata section descriptions ........................................................10
3.1 Metadata entity set information: MD_Metadata ........................10
3.2 Metadata File Identifier: fileIdentifier .....................................10
3.3 Language: language ..........................................................10
3.4 Metadata Character Set: characterSet....................................11
3.5 Resource type: MD_ScopeCode ............................................11
3.6 Contact Details: CI_ResponsibleParty ....................................11
3.7 Dataset reference date: dateStamp .......................................12
3.8 Metadata Standard Name: metadataStandardName ..................12
3.9 Metadata Standard Version: metadataStandardVersion ..............12
3.10 Reference system information: MD_ReferenceSystem ................12
3.11 Identification information: MD_Identification ...........................13
3.12 Distribution information: MD_Distribution ...............................13
3.13 Data quality information: DQ_DataQuality ..............................14
4. Core ISO metadata: ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile ........................15
5. ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile: metadata elements ........................17
5.1 Metadata header ...............................................................17
5.2 Metadata language ............................................................17
5.3 Metadata character set .......................................................18
5.4 Resource Type .................................................................18
5.5 Metadata point of contact....................................................18
5.6 Metadata date ..................................................................19
5.7 Metadata standard name ....................................................19
5.8 Metadata standard version ..................................................20
5.9 Spatial reference system ....................................................20
5.10 Identification ...................................................................21
5.10.1 Resource title ...................................................................21
5.10.2 Resource alternate title ......................................................21
5.10.3 Date of publication ............................................................21
5.10.4 Date of creation ................................................................22
5.10.5 Date of last revision...........................................................22
5.10.6 Unique Resource Identifier ..................................................23
5.10.7 Resource abstract .............................................................23
5.10.8 Resource purpose .............................................................24
5.10.9 Resource status ................................................................24

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

5.10.10 Responsible party .............................................................25

5.10.11 Maintenance update and frequency .......................................25
5.10.12 Descriptive keywords .........................................................26
5.10.13 Constraints related to access and use ....................................27
5.10.14 Spatial representation type .................................................29
5.10.15 Spatial resolution ..............................................................29
5.10.16 Dataset language ..............................................................30
5.10.17 Dataset character set .........................................................30
5.10.18 Dataset topic category .......................................................31
5.10.19 Geographic bounding box....................................................31
5.10.20 Vertical information ...........................................................32
5.10.21 Temporal extent ...............................................................32
5.11 Distribution Information .....................................................33
5.11.1 Distribution format/version..................................................33
5.11.2 Distributor point of contact ..................................................33
5.11.3 Resource locator ...............................................................34
5.12 Data Quality ....................................................................34
5.12.1 Resource type ..................................................................34
5.12.2 Conformity ......................................................................35
5.12.4 Lineage ..........................................................................36
Annex A. Code Lists and Enumerations ..............................................37
A.1.1 ISO 19115 Code Lists and enumerations................................37
A.2.1 INSPIRE Code Lists and enumerations ...................................46
Annex B. ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile Vocabularies.........................47
B.1.1 Descriptive Keywords .....................................................47

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

1. Overview of ISDI Metadata Profile

The purpose of this publication is to describe and define the Irish Spatial Data
Infrastructure (ISDI) Metadata Profile. The ISDI Metadata Profile is designed to
support the documentation and discovery of terrestrial and marine spatial
datasets, spatial dataset series and spatial data services recognising the data
management and sharing requirements within the ISDI community.

The ISDI Metadata Profile identifies the metadata elements required by any Irish
organisation to uniformly describe their spatial data resources according to the
requirements of the INSPIRE Implementing Rules for metadata. The spatial data
resource types specifically addressed by this metadata profile are

• Spatial dataset

• Spatial dataset series

• Spatial data service

The ISDI Metadata Profile has been developed in accordance with the rules
established by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) by the Marine
Institute with guidance by the partners in the Irish Spatial Data Exchange project
(ISDE). The ISDI Metadata Profile is a subset of the international standard ISO
19115:2003 and includes all ISO 19115 core metadata elements. The ISDI
Metadata Profile has also uses additional ISO 19115 non-core elements, code lists
and vocabularies to assist in the description of spatial data resources. These
additional elements have been guided by the requirements of the INSPIRE
directive and have been implemented according to version 1.1 and version 1.2 of
the INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules and technical guidelines.

The ISDI Metadata Profile is maintained as three separate documents (volumes):

Volume 1: ISDI metadata for spatial datasets and spatial data series

Volume 2: ISDI metadata for spatial data services

Volume 3: ISDI Metadata Profile XML Encoding Guidance

The ISDI Metadata Profile has used the ‘Marine Community Profile of ISO 19115’
Version 1.4 produced by the Australian Ocean Data Centre as a template guide in
documenting this profile. The UK Location GEMINI2 Encoding Guidance and the
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH)1 metadata wiki have also been important
reference resources that have guided the development of this ISDI Metadata
Profile.

1
http://www.ceh.ac.uk/

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Contact Details

The ISDI Metadata Profile is managed by the ISDI Technical Committee. Any
comments or feedback should be directed to:

GIS Unit
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Custom House
Dublin 1
Ireland
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +353 (0)1 888 2000

References

The following normative documents contain important requisite references used

by the Marine Institute in the compilation of the ISDI Metadata Profile.

ISO 639-2, Codes for the representation of names of languages ―

Part 2: Alpha-3 code.

ISO 3166-1, Codes for the representation of names of countries
and their subdivisions ― Part 1: Country Codes.

ISO 8601:2000, Data elements and interchange formats ―
Information interchange ― Representation of dates and times.

ISO 8879, Information processing ― Text and office systems ―
Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML).

ISO/IEC 10646-1, Information technology ― Universal Multiple-
Octet Coded Character Set (UCS) ― Part 1:Architecture and Basic
Multilingual Plane.

ISO 19103:2005, Geographic information ― Conceptual schema
language.

ISO 19106:2004, Geographic information ― Profiles.

ISO 19107:2003, Geographic information ― Spatial schema.

ISO 19108:2002, Geographic information ― Temporal schema.

ISO 19109:2005, Geographic information ― Rules for application
schema.

ISO 19110:2005, Geographic information ― Methodology for
feature cataloguing.

ISO 19111:2003, Geographic information ― Spatial referencing by
coordinates.

ISO 19113:2002, Geographic information ― Quality principles.

ISO 19115:2005, Geographic information ― Metadata.

ISO 19118:2005, Geographic information ― Encoding.

ISO/CD 19130. Geographic information ― Sensor and data models
for imagery and gridded data.

ISO/CD TS 19139, Geographic information ― Metadata ― XML
schema implementation.

ISO/IEC 19501:2005, Information technology – Open Distributed
Processing – Unified.

Modelling Language (UML) Version 1.4.2.

Marine Community Profile of ISO 19115 – Australian Ocean Data
Centre.

INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules: Technical Guidelines based
on EN ISO 19115 and EN ISO 19119 – v1.1

INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules: Technical Guidelines based
on EN ISO 19115 and EN ISO 19119 – v1.2

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Acknowledgements

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government wishes to

acknowledge the valuable contribution made by the Irish Spatial Data Exchange
project (ISDE), in the design and publication of this ISDI Metadata Profile. The
ISDE project, managed by the Marine Institute in conjunction with ISDE project
partners, is recognised as Irish best practice in online sharing of environmental
spatial data.

The following people provided significant contributions to the publication of this

metadata profile:

Greg Reed, Australian Oceanographic Data Centre, Australia.

Eoin O’Grady, Marine Institute, Ireland.

Trevor Alcorn, Marine Institute, Ireland.

Gareth John, Department of the Environment, Community & Local
Government.

Fiona O’Rourke, Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland.

Ozan Emem, Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland.

Ray Scanlon, Geological Survey of Ireland.

Declan Dunne, Coastal & Marine Resources Centre, University
College Cork.

Yassine Lassoued, Coastal & Marine Resources Centre, University
College Cork.

Gerry Sutton, Coastal & Marine Resources Centre, University
College Cork.

Bernard Farrell, Spatial Management Consultant (formerly
Ordnance Survey Ireland).

Ali Robinson, Compass Informatics.

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

2 ISDI Metadata Profile for spatial dataset

and spatial dataset series
2.1 ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile of ISO 19115:2005

The International Standard ISO 19115 “Geographic Information – Metadata” is a

standard of the International Organisation for Standardisation (i.e. ISO). It is a
constituent of the ISO series 19100 standards for spatial metadata. ISO 191152
defines the schema required for describing geographic information. ISO 19115
provides information about the identification, the extent, the quality, the spatial
and temporal schema, spatial reference, and distribution of digital geographic
data.

ISO 19115 is applicable to the cataloguing of datasets, clearinghouse activities

and the full description of datasets, geographic datasets, dataset series, and
individual features and feature properties. ISO 19115 defines mandatory and
conditional metadata sections, metadata entities, and metadata elements. In
addition, ISO 19115 defines the minimum set of metadata required to serve the
full range of metadata applications (i.e. data discovery, determining data fitness
for use, data access, data transfer, and use of digital data.) There are optional
metadata elements to allow for a more extensive standard description of
geographic data, if required. Although ISO 19115 is applicable to digital data, its
principles can be expanded to include other forms of geographic data such as
maps, admiralty charts, and textual documents as well as non-spatial data.

Therefore, underpinning the ISDI Metadata Profile for metadata is the ISO profile
as this fits the specialised environmental metadata requirements of the INSPIRE
directive.

The ISO 19115 standard defines approximately 400 elements, most of which are
listed as “optional”. There are, however, 22 core metadata elements3 required by
ISO 19115. The ISO standard states that individual communities may develop a
“community profile” of the International Standard, hence the generation of the
ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile. Within this ISDI Metadata Profile a select set of
metadata elements may be established as mandatory and others set as
conditional, obligatory or optional. In addition, the ISDI Metadata Profile
establishes additional metadata elements that are not part of the ISO standard,
these requirements sourced from the INSPIRE directive technical guidance and
the Metadata Implementing Rules. The ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile
establishes field sizes and domains for all metadata elements according to the
rules established for creating a Community Profile are described in the
International Standard Geographic Information – Profiles (ISO19106:2004).

The ISDI Metadata Profile uses the ISO 19115 standard by applying the ISO
19139 XML schema implementation of ISO 19115 to include new elements and
customised code lists to meet the requirements of the ISDI community. There are
core ISO elements, core INSPIRE elements, and optional elements which are
useful descriptive parameters for metadata describing a spatial dataset or a
spatial dataset series.

2
ISO 19115 is additionally known as ISO 19115:2005.
3
INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules Technical Guidance, p. 7.

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

2.2 Metadata for geographic data

ISO 19115 identifies the metadata required to describe geographic data.

Metadata4 is applicable to independent datasets, aggregations of datasets,
individual geographic features, and the various classes of objects that compose a
feature. Metadata shall be provided for geographic datasets and may, optionally,
be provided for aggregations of datasets, features, and attributes of features.
Metadata is composed of one or more Metadata Sections (also referred to as
‘Packages’ in the ISO UML5 model) containing one or more Metadata Entities
(UML ‘Classes’).

2.3 Metadata sections

ISO 19115 presents metadata for geographic data in distinct information

sections. Each section contains one or more entities. Entities then contain
elements which identify the actual metadata values. Entities may also be related
to one or more other entities and may be aggregated and repeated as necessary
to meet:

Mandatory requirements stated by ISO.

Additional INSPIRE or ISDI requirements.

The relationship between the metadata sections and the sets of metadata entities
included the ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile is shown below.

Metadata Section Entity Set

Metadata entity set information MD_Metadata
Metadata file identification information fileIdentifier
Metadata language information language
Metadata character set information characterSet
Metadata resource type information MD_ScopeCode
Responsible party information CI_ResponsibleParty
Metadata Date information dateStamp
Metadata standard name information metadataStandardName
Metadata standard version information metadataStandardVersion
Reference system information MD_ReferenceSystem
Identification information MD_DataIdentification
Distribution information MD_Distribution
Data quality information DQ_DataQuality
Figure 1. ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile: Metadata sections and related entity sets.

4
Metadata is data about data.
5
UML is Unified Markup Language used to produce case, class, and sequence
diagrams, and more.

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

3 Metadata section descriptions

3.1 Metadata entity set information: MD_Metadata

The metadata entity set information consists of the entity MD_Metadata, which
is mandatory. The MD_Metadata entity contains both mandatory and optional
elements. The MD_Metadata entity is an aggregate of the following entities.

fileIdentifier

language

characterSet

hierarchyLevel

contact

dateStamp

metadataStandardName

metadataStandardVersion

referenceSystemInfo

identificationInfo

distributionInfo

dataQualityInfo

MD_Metadata is mandatory for ISO and INSPIRE when describing a spatial

dataset or a spatial dataset series.

3.2 Metadata File Identifier: fileIdentifier

The Metadata File Identifier for each metadata record contains the unique
metadata UUID6 for a spatial dataset or a spatial dataset series.

Metadata file identifier (O) is an ISO core element.

The ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile uses this element for metadata harvest
management and linking OGC web services back to the metadata of the reference
datasets. It is important for spatial data exchange purposes and the fact that
some organisations will hold but not be legally responsible for another
organisation’s spatial dataset(s) or dataset series. Data exchange may mean the
Marine Institute; for example, may hold a copy of an Environmental Protection
Agency (i.e. EPA) spatial dataset or spatial dataset series on the Marine Institute
network, and vice versa.

3.3 Language: language

The language information contains data on the metadata language describing the
spatial dataset or spatial dataset series.

Metadata language (C) is an ISO core element. INSPIRE is more demanding (Part
B 10.3) where the metadata language is mandated.

The element language in the ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile is mandatory as

defined by INSPIRE.

6
UUID is a Universally Unique Identifier.

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

3.4 Metadata Character Set: characterSet

The metadata character set information contains data on the character set the
metadata record(s) is stored in. All metadata must be in the same character set
for interoperability and exchange.

Metadata character set (C) is an ISO core element and ISO 19115 is more
demanding than INSPIRE. The metadata character set has to be documented in
ISO 19115 when ISO-10646-1 is being used.

The ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile uses “UTF-8”7 describing this character set as
8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 to fulfil the
underlying ISO 19115 requirements upon which the profile is based.

3.5 Resource type: MD_ScopeCode

The Hierarchy Level contains the spatial data resource type information the
metadata record(s) is describing.

Resource Type (Part B 1.3) is a requirement of INSPIRE and as a result it is more

demanding than ISO. According to INSPIRE there are three types of spatial
resources. These are:

1. Spatial dataset
2. Spatial dataset series
3. Spatial data service

The ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile uses the MD_ScopeCode mandatory code list
to meet the INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules technical guidance
requirements for the first two of the three resource types, namely ‘spatial
dataset’ and ‘spatial dataset series’.

3.6 Contact Details: CI_ResponsibleParty

The contact details or CI_ResponsibleParty element contains the spatial dataset

or spatial dataset series metadata point of contact.

Metadata point of contact (M) is a core ISO element. However, INSPIRE (Part B
10.1) is more demanding by mandating both the name of the organisation and a
contact email address for the point of contact.

The ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile is more comprehensive providing

CI_ResponsibleParty, CI_Contact, CI_Telephone, and CI_Address for the
metadata point of contact which includes the following. The code list CI_RoleCode
defines the role information.

Individual name.

Organisation name.

Position name.

Role.

Voice.

Fax.

7
UTF8 (8-bit UCS/Unicode Transformation Format) is a variable-length character
encoding for Unicode. It is the preferred encoding for web pages and other places
where characters are stored or streamed.

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Postal address.

Electronic mail address.

3.7 Dataset reference date: dateStamp

The dateStamp element refers to the metadata date stamp of the spatial dataset
or spatial dataset series.

Metadata date stamp (M) is a core ISO element. ISO is more restrictive because
this element shall contain the ‘date that the metadata was created’ but INSPIRE
may contain the ‘date when the metadata record was created or updated’.

The ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile provides the dateStamp element as the date
stamp to apply to the metadata. The INSPIRE requirements on date(s) associated
with the spatial dataset(s) or dataset series are handled under the
MD_Identification entity.

3.8 Metadata Standard Name: metadataStandardName

The metadata standard name contains information on the standard the metadata
is described in.

The metadata standard name (O) is a core ISO 19115 element.

As the ISDI Metadata Profile is a combination of the ISO Standards 19115/19139

and INSPIRE the description of the standard references both sources. The
metadata standard name is mandatory to provide a standard reference for each
metadata record.

3.9 Metadata Standard Version: metadataStandardVersion

The metadata standard version contains information on the version release of the
standard the metadata is described in.

The metadata standard version (O) is a core ISO 19115 element.

According to the INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules there are no specific

comments but the ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile requires this element for
metadata management purposes. The ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile applies the
version release of the INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules technical guidance
documentation as the version of the metadata standard to apply.

3.10 Reference system information: MD_ReferenceSystem

The reference system section contains information on the identification of the

spatial reference system associated with a spatial data dataset(s) or dataset
series. A spatial reference system or projection system is any method
representing the surface of a sphere (ie. Earth on a plane.) onto a 2D/3D display.

Reference System (O) is a core ISO 19115 element.

According to the INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules technical guidance there

are no specific comments. However, as the ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile
applies the ISO entities as the underlying foundation for the profile the
MD_ReferenceSystem entity is included as mandatory.

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

3.11 Identification information: MD_Identification

The Identification information section contains information to uniquely identify the

spatial dataset or dataset series being described by the metadata.

Dataset title (M), dataset reference date (M), dataset responsible party (O),
Geographic location of the dataset (C), dataset language (M), dataset character
set (C), dataset topic category (M), spatial resolution of the dataset (O), abstract
describing the dataset (M), and additional extent information for the dataset
(vertical, spatial and temporal) (O) are all ISO core elements.

Identification information for the ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile includes the
following:

Citation of the resource: CI_Citation.

Date(s) associated with the generation of the metadata: CI_Date.

Dataset Unique Identifier: RS_Identifier.

Abstract (summary) of the spatial resource described: abstract.

Purpose of the spatial dataset or series described: purpose.

Status of the data collection process of the spatial dataset or series
described: MD_ProgressCode.

Point of Contact details associated with the dataset or series:
CI_ResponsibleParty.

Maintenance and frequency information associated with the spatial
dataset or series: MD_MaintenanceInformation.

Descriptive keyword(s) associated with the dataset or series:
MD_Keywords.

INSPIRE Thesaurus Vocabulary keyword source reference:
thesaurusName.

Constraints associated with the dataset or series: MD_Constraints.

Spatial Representation Type information associated with the
dataset or series: spatialRepresentationType.

Dataset language: language.

ISO topic category or main theme of the spatial dataset or series:
MD_TopicCategoryCode.

Geographic Extent of the spatial dataset or series: EX_Extent.

Vertical Extent of the spatial dataset or series: EX_VerticalExtent.

Vertical Datum associated with the spatial dataset or series:
verticalDatum.

Temporal Extent (ie. Begin and End Period) associated with the
spatial dataset or series: EX_TemporalExtent.

Supplemental information associated with the spatial dataset or
series: supplementalInformation.

The ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile follows the INSPIRE Metadata Implementing
Rules recommendations (elements above) using the underlying ISO entities.

3.12 Distribution information: MD_Distribution

The distribution information section contains information associated with the

distribution of the spatial dataset or series. The Distribution information contains
the following:

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

General distribution information: MD_Distribution.

Distribution format of the spatial dataset or series: MD_Format.

Distribution point of contact: CI_ResponsibleParty.

Distribution address details: CI_Address.

Distribution voice and fax details: CI_Contact.

Online information on the spatial data dataset or series:
MD_DigitalTransferOptions.CI_OnlineResource.

Distribution format (O) is a core ISO element. There is no reference for INSPIRE
but it is included as part of the ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile.

3.13 Data quality information: DQ_DataQuality

The data quality section contains extra information entities required by INSPIRE
and reference to the spatial dataset or series and lineage information on the
spatial dataset or series creation. In addition the extra supplementary elements
required by INSPIRE as a conformance test are included here.

According to the INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules technical guidance the

following is a requirement. “In conformance to Directive 2007/2/EC, the metadata
shall include information on the degree of conformity with the implementing rules
provided in Art. 7-1. ISO 19115 provides a mechanism for reporting about the
evaluation of the conformity of the resource against a given specification. This
mechanism is used here to handle the conformity requirements of INSPIRE.”

The ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile contains the following to implement the
requirements of INSPIRE.

Resource type: Code list MD_ScopeCode.

INSPIRE Conformance test:
DQ_DomainConsistency.DQ_ConformanceResult.

Statement on the lineage of the spatial data resource: LI_Lineage.

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

4. Core ISO metadata: ISDI “dataset”

Metadata Profile
ISO 19115 defines an extensive set of metadata elements. The ISDI “dataset”
Metadata Profile uses a subset of the full number of these elements and has
defined a number of metadata elements required to conform to INSPIRE. These
core metadata elements are required to identify a spatial dataset and a spatial
dataset series. These core metadata elements aid answering the following
questions:

Does a dataset on a specific topic exist (‘what’)?

For a specific place (‘where’)?

For a specific date or period (‘when’)?

A point of contact to learn more about or order the dataset (‘who’)?

Using the recommended optional elements in addition to the mandatory elements

increases interoperability across ISDI, allowing users to understand without
ambiguity the data and the related metadata provided by either the producer or
the distributor. The ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile includes the core metadata
elements defined in ISO 19115.

Listed below are the core metadata elements required for describing a spatial
dataset or a spatial dataset series using the ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile. “M”
indicates that the element is mandatory; “O” indicates that the element is
optional; and “C” indicates that the element is mandatory under certain
conditions.

ISO 19115 Core INSPIRE

Dataset title (M) Part B 1.1 Resource Title
Dataset reference date (M) Part B 5 Temporal Reference
Dataset responsible party (O) Part B 9 Responsible Organisation
Geographical location of the dataset (C) Part B 4.1 Geographic Bounding Box
Dataset language (M) Part B 1.7 Resource Language
Dataset character set (C)
Dataset topic category (M) Part B 2.1 Topic Category
Spatial resolution of the dataset (O) Part B 6.2 Spatial Resolution
Abstract describing the dataset (M) Part B 1.2 Resource abstract
Distribution format (O)
Additional extent information for the Part B 5.1 Temporal extent
dataset (vertical and temporal) (O)
Spatial representation type (O)
Reference system (O)
Lineage (O) Part B 6.1 Lineage
On-line resource (O) Part B 1.4 Resource Locator
Metadata file identifier (O)
Metadata standard name (O)
Metadata standard version (O)
Metadata language (C) Part B 10.3 Metadata Language
Metadata character set (C)
Metadata point of contact (M) Part B 10.1 Metadata point of contact
Metadata date stamp (M) Part B 10.2 Metadata Date
Part B 1.3 Resource Type

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Part B 1.5 Unique Resource Identifier

Part B 3 Keyword
Part B 7 Conformity
Part B 8.1 Conditions for use and
access
Part B 8.2 Limitations on public access

Figure 2. ISO and INSPIRE Core metadata elements.8

8
INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules: Technical Guidance INSPIRE spatial
dataset and spatial dataset series

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

5. ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile: metadata

elements
5.1 Metadata header

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference
Element name Metadata
IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number
Name Metadata header
Definition The Root Element container for all other metadata entities
ISO reference Metadata
Data type xml
Domain Contains the entities describing the metadata.
ISDI style example N/A

5.2 Metadata language

For ISDI implementation, the metadata language can be in either “English” or

“Irish”.

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 10.3

Element name Metadata language
IR9 Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number 3
Name language
Definition Language used for documenting metadata.
ISO reference language
Data type LanguageCode (ISO/TS 19139)
Domain Code list [MD_Language] (See ISO/TS 19139) based on
alpha-3 codes of ISO 639-2. Use only three-letter codes from
in ISO 639-2/B.
ISDI style example “eng” or “gle”

9
ISDI Implementing Rules (ie. IR). The ISDI Implementing Rules follow the INSPIRE
implementing rules.

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

5.3 Metadata character set

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference ISO Core Metadata Elements.

Element name Metadata character set
IR10 Obligation/ Conditional.
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number
Name Metadata character set
Definition Character set the metadata information is stored in.
ISO reference characterSet
Data type Specified Class
Domain Code List [MD_CharacterSetCode]
ISDI style example “utf8”

5.4 Resource Type

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 1.3

Element name Resource Type
IR Obligation/ Mandatory. ISDI profile implements either “dataset” or
condition “series” or “service” from the scope code list
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number 6
Name hierarchyLevel
Definition Scope to which metadata applies.
ISO reference hierarchyLevel
Data type MD_ScopeCode
Domain Code List [MD_ScopeCode]
ISDI style example “dataset” or “series”

5.5 Metadata point of contact

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 10.1

Element name Metadata point of contact
IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1]

10
ISDI Implementing Rules. The ISDI Implementing Rules follow the INSPIRE
implementing rules requirements.

18
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

ISO Architecture

Number 8
Name Contact
Definition Party responsible for the metadata information.
ISO reference contact
Data type CI_ResponsibleParty
Domain The following properties are required: IndividualName,
OrganisationName, positionName, Phone, Fax, Email,
Address, Role [CI_RoleCode]
ISDI style example
GIS Unit
Department of Environment, Community and Local
Government
Custom House
Dublin 1
Ireland
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +353-1-8882000

pointOfContact

5.6 Metadata date

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 10.2

Element name Metadata date
IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number 9
Name dateStamp
Definition Date that the metadata was authored.
ISO reference dateStamp
Data type DateTime
Domain Value must be formatted according to ISO 8601
ISDI style example 2010-04-12T16:21:32

5.7 Metadata standard name

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference 1.1 ISO Core Metadata Elements

Element name Metadata Standard Name
IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1]

19
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

ISO Architecture

Number
Name metadataStandardName
Definition The metadata standard meta-information is stored in.
ISO reference metadataStandardName
Data type CharacterString
Domain Free text
ISDI style example “ISDI Metadata Profile”

5.8 Metadata standard version

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference 1.1 ISO Core Metadata Elements

Element name Metadata Standard Version
IR Obligation/ Condtional
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number
Name metadataStandardVersion
Definition The metadata standard version meta-information is stored in.
To be filled in if important to distinguish between versions.
ISO reference metadataStandardVersion
Data type CharacterString
Domain Free text
ISDI style example 1.2

5.9 Spatial reference system

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference 1.1 ISO Core Metadata Elements

Element name Reference System
IR Obligation/ Optional
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number
Name Spatial reference system
Definition The reference system of the spatial resource for representing
data on the surface of a sphere or other shape on a plane.
ISO reference referenceSystemInfo
Data type Detailed by a EPSG URL URI using Code and CodeSpace
properties.
Domain Free text. This is to be detailed using the code and URN from
the EPSG spatial reference system register.
ISDI style example http://www.opengis.net/def/crs/EPSG/0/4258

20
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

5.10 Identification

5.10.1 Resource title

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 1.1

Element name Resource title
IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number 360
Name title
Definition Name by which the spatial resource is known
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/citation/title
Data type CharacterString
Domain Free text
ISDI style example Special Area of Conservation

5.10.2 Resource alternate title

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 1.1

Element name Resource alternate title
IR Obligation/ Optional
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number 360
Name title
Definition Alternative name by which the spatial dataset or series is
known.
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/citation/alternateTitle
Data type CharacterString
Domain Free text
ISDI style example SAC

5.10.3 Date of publication

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 5.2

Element name Date of publication
IR Obligation/ Mandatory. At least one temporal reference is required.
condition
Multiplicity [1…*]

21
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

ISO Architecture

Number 394
Name Date
Definition Reference date for the cited resource - publication
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/citation/*/date[./*/dateType/*/text()='
publication']/*/date

Data type CI_Date

Domain Described in ISO 19108 and ISO 8601 with Code list
[MD_DateTypeCode] for the type of date.
ISDI style example 2010-03-10

5.10.4 Date of creation

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 1.1

Element name Date of creation
IR Obligation/ Optional
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number 394
Name Date
Definition Reference date for the cited resource - creation
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/citation/*/date[./*/dateType/*/text()='
creation']/*/date

Data type CI_Date

Domain Described in ISO 19108 and ISO 8601 with Code list
[MD_DateTypeCode] for the type of date.
ISDI style example 2010-03-10

5.10.5 Date of last revision

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 1.1

Element name Date of last revision
IR Obligation/ Optional
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number 394
Name Date
Definition Reference date for the cited resource - revision

22
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/citation/*/date[./*/dateType/*/text()='

revision']/*/date
Data type CI_Date
Domain Described in ISO 19108 and ISO 8601 with Code list
[MD_DateTypeCode] for the type of date.
ISDI style example 2010-03-10

5.10.6 Unique Resource Identifier

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 1.5

Element name Unique resource identifier
IR Obligation/ Mandatory for a spatial dataset and spatial dataset series.
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number 365
Name Identifier
Definition Value uniquely identifying an object within a namespace
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/citation/*/identifier
Data type MD_Identifier
Domain See B.2.7.3 of ISO 19115. The code property is required at a
minimum, and a codeSpace property may be provided.
ISDI style example 1. f0c308ae-4c5c-11df-9879-0800200c9a66 (UUID
approach)

2. http://www.npws.ie/dataset/special-area-of-conservation
(codespace and code approach using URL)

5.10.7 Resource abstract

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 1.2

Element name Resource abstract
IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number 25
Name abstract
Definition Brief narrative summary of the content of the resource(s).
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/abstract
Data type CharacterString
Domain Free Text
ISDI style example This data set publishes the location data for the Special Areas

23
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

of Conservation (SAC) for the Republic of Ireland. These are

prime wildlife conservation areas in the country, considered to
be important on a European as well as Irish level. Most
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are in the countryside,
although a few sites reach into town or city landscapes, such
as Dublin Bay and Cork Harbour. Detailed conservation
objectives are available for some SACs and as additional ones
are approved they will be posted on the NPWS website
(www.npws.ie). The legal basis on which SACs are selected
and designated is the EU Habitats Directive, transposed into
Irish law in the as amended in 1998 and 2005. The Directive
lists certain habitats and species that must be protected
within SACs..

5.10.8 Resource purpose

ISDI Implementing Rules11

Reference ISDI
Element name Resource purpose
IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number
Name purpose
Definition Brief narrative summary on why data is collected
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/purpose
Data type CharacterString
Domain Free Text
ISDI style example Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna
monitoring and reporting.

5.10.9 Resource status

ISDI Implementing Rules12

Reference MyOcean
Element name Resource status
IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

11
This element is optional under ISO 19115 but it is mandatory in the ISDI
Metadata Profile
12
This element is optional under ISO 19115 but it is mandatory in the ISDI
Metadata Profile. MyOcean extension request for this element.

24
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Number 28
Name status
Definition Status of the resource(s)
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/status
Data type Specified Class
Domain Code List [MD_ProgressCode]
ISDI style example Ongoing

5.10.10 Responsible party

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 9.1

Element name Responsible party
IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1] Relative to a responsible organisation, but there may be
many responsible organisations for a single resource.

ISO Architecture

Number 29
Name pointOfContact
Definition identification of, and means of communication with, person(s)
and organization(s) associated with the resource(s)
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/pointOfContact
Data type CharacterString
Domain CI_ResponsibleParty with Code List [CI_RoleCode].
ISDI style example GIS Unit
Department of Environment, Community and Local
Government
Custom House
Dublin 1
Ireland
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +353-1-8882000
distributor

5.10.11 Maintenance update and frequency

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference ISDI
Element name Maintenance update and frequency
IR Obligation/ Conditional
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number
Name Maintenance update and frequency

25
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Definition A reference to how often the spatial resource is maintained

and updated.
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/resourceMaintenance
Data type Specified Class
Domain Code List [MD_FrequencyCode]
ISDI style example annually

5.10.12 Descriptive keywords

INSPIRE keywords are keyword values, which in ISO is referred to as “Keyword”

and a reference to a controlled vocabulary known as a “thesaurus”. The INSPIRE
Implementing Rules for metadata mandate the presence of at least one keyword:

For a spatial dataset or spatial dataset series the keyword shall describe the
relevant INSPIRE spatial data theme (as defined by Annex I, II, and III of the
Directive) originating from the general environmental multilingual GEMET
thesaurus. The 34 INSPIRE Spatial Data Themes are available from GEMET –
INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 thesaurus.

http://www.eionet.europa.eu/gemet/inspire_themes

keyword title reference date date type

Oceanographic GEMET – INSPIRE themes, 2008-06-01 publication
geographical version 1.0
features (theme)

In addition, to the minimum INSPIRE Spatial Data Theme keyword requirements

other keywords from the GEMET – Concepts Version 2.4 thesaurus can be
provided13. A facility to search this thesaurus is available for standard ISO
Theme14, Place15, Temporal16, Stratum17, or Discipline18 keyword types. The ISDI
“dataset” Metadata Profile cites the GEMET Thesaurus Concepts thesaurus for
consistency of thesaurus source with the INSPIRE Spatial Data Theme mandatory
requirement. However, other thesauri can be used in the instance. For example,

British Oceanographic Data Centre Vocabulary Server.

o https://www.bodc.ac.uk/data/codes_and_formats/parameter_code
s/

Geological multilingual Dictionary services [IFREMER]
o http://srvgeosciml.brgm.fr/eXist2010/brgm/1GEclient.html

keyword title reference date date type

Europe (theme) GEMET – Concepts, version 2010-01-13 publication
2.4

13
INSPIRE allows for reference to any chosen Thesaurus as long as the full
reference and reference date are included.
14
Theme – Identify Subjects or Topics.
15
Place – Geographic locations.
16
Temporal – Specific periods in time ie. 20th Century.
17
Stratum – Layers in the environment.
18
Discipline – Branches of instruction or learning.

26
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

ISDI Implementing Rules (Keyword value)

Reference Part B 3.1

Element name Keyword value
IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1…*]

ISO Architecture (keyword value)

Number 53
Name Keyword
Definition Commonly used word(s) or formalised word(s) or phrase(s)
used to describe a dataset.
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/descriptiveKeywords/*/Keyword
Data type CharacterString
Domain Free text with Code list [MD_KeywordTypeCode] for optional ISO
keyword type.
ISDI style example Oceanographic geographical features (theme)

ISDI Implementing Rules (Originating Controlled Vocabulary)

Reference Part B 3.2

Element name Originating controlled vocabulary.
IR Obligation/ Conditional. Mandatory if the keyword value originates from a
condition controlled vocabulary.
Multiplicity [0…1] relative to the keywords used.

ISO Architecture (Originating Controlled Vocabulary)

Number 55
Name ThesaurusName
Definition Name of the formally registered thesaurus or a similar
authoritative source of keywords.
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/descriptiveKeywords/*/thesaurusName
Data type CI_Citation
Domain Free text, reference date, date type [MD_DateTypeCode].
ISDI style example “INSPIRE Feature Concept Dictionary, 2008-12-05,
publication

5.10.13 Constraints related to access and use

There are two major requirements expressed by INSPIRE in relation to the

documentation of the constraints that apply to the use of the spatial data
resource:

1. Conditions applying to access and use of the resource, and the

corresponding fees if applicable.
2. Limitations on public access: Member States may limit access to spatial
datasets and spatial data services in a set of cases (ie. public security, national
defence).

27
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

ISDI Implementing Rules (Conditions applying to access and use)

Reference Part B 8.2

Element name Limitations on public access
IR Obligation/ If no conditions apply to the access and use of the resource,
condition “no conditions apply” shall be used. If conditions are
unknown, “conditions unknown” shall be used.
This element shall also provide information on any fees
necessary to access and use the resource, if applicable, or
refer to a uniform resource locator (URL) where information
on fees is available.
Multiplicity [1..*] for the resource but there is zero or one condition
applying to access and use per instance of MD_Constraints.

ISO Architecture (Conditions applying to access and use)

Number 68
Name useLimitation
Definition restrictions on the access and use of a resource or metadata
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/resourceConstraints/*/useLimitation
Data type CharacterString
Domain Free text
ISDI style example “no conditions apply”

ISDI Implementing Rules (Limitations on public access)

Reference Part B 8.2

Element name Limitations on public access
IR Obligation/ Mandatory. When Member States limit public access to
condition spatial data sets and spatial data services under Article 13 of
Directive 2007/2/EC, this metadata element shall provide
information on the limitations and the reasons for them. If
there are no limitations on public access, this metadata
element shall indicate that fact. ie. “no limtations”

The value domain of this metadata element is free text.

Multiplicity [1..*] for the resource but there is zero or one condition
applying to access and use per instance of MD_Constraints.

ISO Architecture (Limitations on public access)

Number 70
Name accessConstraints
Definition Access constraints applied to assure the protection of privacy or
intellectual property, and any special restrictions or limitations on
obtaining the resource.
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/resourceConstraints/*/accessConstraints
Data type Specified Class
Domain Code List [MD_RestrictionCode]
ISDI style “otherRestrictions” /*/ “no limitations”
example

28
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

5.10.14 Spatial representation type

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference ISO Core Metadata Elements

Element name Spatial representation type
IR Obligation/ Obligatory
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number
Name Spatial representation type
Definition A reference to the type of spatial representation the resource
is presented in (ie. raster/vector data models)
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/spatialRepresentationType
Data type Specified Class
Domain Code List [MD_SpatialRepresentationTypeCode]
ISDI style example “vector”

5.10.15 Spatial resolution

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 6.2

Element name Spatial resolution
IR Obligation/ Mandatory. Spatial resolution refers to the level of detail of
condition the dataset.

ISDI (INSPIRE) Metadata Implementing Rules allow either:

1. Resolution Distance or
2. Equivalent Scale

to be entered, but not both.

N.B. If both types of scale are entered then the

metadata record will not be ISDI or INSPIRE
compliant, It will be either one type or the other.

A resolution distance shall be expressed as a numerical value

associated with a unit of length. (typically for gridded data
and imagery-derived products)

OR

An equivalent scale is generally expressed as an integer value

expressing the scale denominator. (typically for
maps or map-derived products).

Multiplicity [1..*]

29
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

ISO Architecture

Number 60, 61
Name equivalentScale, distance
Definition Level of detail expressed as the scale denominator of a
comparable hardcopy map or chart.
Ground sample distance
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/spatialResolution/*/distance
or
identificationInfo[1]/*/spatialResolution/*/equivalentScale

Data type Integer, Distance

Domain Integer, Number expressing the distance value and a unit of
measure of the distance value.
ISDI style example 100 metres (resolution distance)
Or
50000 (ie. 1:50000 equivalent map scale)

5.10.16 Dataset language

In terms of implementation, the metadata language can be in either “English” or

“Irish”, the two official languages of Ireland.

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 1.7

Element name Dataset language
IR Obligation/ Conditional for spatial dataset and spatial dataset series:
condition Mandatory if the resource includes textual information.
Multiplicity [0…*]

ISO Architecture

Number 39
Name Language
Definition Language(s) used within the spatial resource
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/language
Data type LanguageCode (ISO/TS 19139)
Domain Code list [MD_Language] (See ISO/TS 19139) based on
alpha-3 codes of ISO 639-2. Use only three-letter codes from
in ISO 639-2/B (bibliographic codes), as defined at
http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/
ISDI style example “eng” or “gle”

5.10.17 Dataset character set

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference ISO Core Metadata Elements

Element name Dataset character set
IR Obligation/ Conditional. ISO 19115 is more demanding.
condition

30
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number
Name Dataset character set
Definition The character set of the content of the spatial resource.
ISO /gmd:MD_Metadata/gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/
reference gmd:characterSet
Data type Specified Class
Domain Code List [MD_CharacterSetCode]
ISDI style “utf8”
example

5.10.18 Dataset topic category

Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 2.1

Element name Topic category
IR Obligation/ Mandatory for a spatial dataset and a spatial dataset series.
condition
Multiplicity [1…*]

ISO Architecture

Number 41
Name topicCategory
Definition Main theme(s) of the spatial resource
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/topicCategory
Data type Specified Class
Domain Code List [MD_TopicCategoryCode]. Enumeration (See B.5.27
of ISO 19115 or Part D 2 of the INSPIRE Implementing Rules
for Metadata).
ISDI style example environment

5.10.19 Geographic bounding box

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 4.1

Element name Geographic bounding box
IR Obligation/ Mandatory for spatial dataset and spatial dataset series.
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number 344, 345, 346, 347

Name westBoundLongitude, eastBoundLongitude,
southBoundLatitude, northBoundLatitude
Definition West, East, South, North coordinates in decimal degrees that

31
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

represent the spatial limit of the resource

ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/extent/*/geographicElement/*/
Data type Decimal
Domain Longitude and Latitude decimal limits
ISDI style example -10.5: westBoundLongitude
-5.5: eastBoundLongitude
51.5: southBoundLatitude
55.5: northBoundLatitude

5.10.20 Vertical information

Implementing Rules

Reference ISO Core Metadata Elements

Element name Additional extent information for the dataset
IR Obligation/ Conditional.
condition
Multiplicity 1]

ISO Architecture

Number
Name Vertical Extent
Definition Details on the Vertical Extent and Vertical Datum associated
with the spatial resource. EPSG Code implementation may be
used to provide a standard way to provide Vertical datum
information. E.g. Malin Ordnance Datum is EPSG::5731.
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/EX_verticalExtent
Data type CharacterString
Domain Integer (ie. units in metres)
ISDI style example -764, -10,
“Malin Ordnance Datum”, “Metres”, “Derivation of altitude”,
“OD Based on Mean Sea Level, Malin Head 1960-1969”

A URL will make up a resolvable URI identifier code for the

Vertical CRS ideitifer element, e.g.:
http://www.opengis.net/def/crs/EPSG/0/5731

5.10.21 Temporal extent

The INSPIRE Implementing Rules for metadata require at least one temporal
reference chosen from one of these four categories: temporal extent, data of
publication, date of last revision or the date of creation. ISO 19115 is more
demanding and requires that at least one of the following is provided: date of
publication, the date of last revision or the date of creation. Therefore, whilst
providing a temporal extent would suffice to satisfy the INSPIRE Implementing
Rules for metadata it is not enough to be compliant with ISO 19115. To be
compliant with ISO 19115 it is necessary to use at least one among date of
publication, date of last revision, or the date of creation.

Therefore, the ISDI Metadata Profile includes all elements to meet INSPIRE and
ISO requirements.

32
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

ISDI Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 5.1

Element name Temporal extent
IR Obligation/ Conditional: At least one temporal reference is required.
condition
Multiplicity [0…*] but at least one temporal reference is required.

ISO Architecture

Number 351
Name Extent
Definition Time period covered by the content of the dataset.
ISO reference identificationInfo[1]/*/extent/*/temporalElement/*/extent
Data type ISO DateTime
Domain As described in ISO 19108
ISDI style example From 2000-01-01T11:45:30 to 2000-12-31T09:10:00

5.11 Distribution Information

5.11.1 Distribution format/version

Implementing Rules

Reference ISO Core Metadata Elements.

Element name Distribution format.
IR Obligation/ Obligatory
condition
Multiplicity [1…*]

ISO Architecture

Number
Name Distribution format
Definition The software format the spatial resource can be distributed
in.
ISO reference distributionFormat
Data type CharacterString
Domain Free text
ISDI style example ESRI Shapefile, MapInfo TAB, ESRI Personal Geodatabase,
Access Table, CSV, KML, JSON, GeoJSON

5.11.2 Distributor point of contact

Implementing Rules

Reference ISO Core Metadata Elements.

Element name Distributor Contact
IR Obligation/ Obligatory
condition
Multiplicity [1]

33
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

ISO Architecture

Number 8
Name Distributor point of contact
Definition Party responsible for the distribution of the spatial resource
ISO reference distributorContact
Data type CI_ResponsibleParty
Domain The following properties are required: IndividualName,
OrganisationName, positionName, Phone, Fax, Email,
Address, Role [CI_RoleCode]
ISDI style example
GIS Unit
Department of Environment, Community and Local
Government
Custom House
Dublin 1
Ireland
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +353-1-8882000

pointOfContact

5.11.3 Resource locator

Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 1.4

Element name Resource locator
IR Obligation/ Conditional for spatial dataset and spatial dataset series.
condition Mandatory if a URL is available to obtain more information on
the resource and/or access to related services.
Multiplicity [0…*]

ISO Architecture

Number 397
Name linkage
Definition Location (address) for on-line access using a Uniform Resource
Locator address or similar addressing scheme.
ISO reference distributionInfo/*/transferOptions/*/onLine/*/linkage
Data type URL
Domain URL (IETF RFC1738 and IETF RFC 2056)
ISDI style
example http://www.npws.ie/protectedsites/specialareasofconservationsac/

5.12 Data Quality

5.12.1 Resource type

Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 1.3

34
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Element name Resource Type

IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1]

ISO Architecture

Number 6
Name Resource type
Definition Scope to which metadata applies.
ISO reference hierarchyLevel
Data type Specified Class
Domain Code List [MD_ScopeCode]
ISDI style example “dataset” or “series”

5.12.2 Conformity

In conformance to INSPIRE, the metadata shall include information on the degree

of conformity to the Directive. ISO 19115 provides a mechanism for reporting
about the evaluation of the conformity of the resource against a given
specification. This mechanism is used in the ISDI Metadata Profile to handle the
conformity requirements of INSPIRE.

Implementing Rules (Degree)

Reference Part B 7.2

Element name Degree
IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1] understood in the context of a conformity statement
when reported in the metadata – there may be more than
one conformity statement.

ISO Architecture (Degree)

Number 132
Name Pass
Definition Indication of the conformance result
ISO reference dataQualityInfo/*/report/*/result/*/pass
Data type Boolean
Domain true if conformant.
false if non-conformant.
ISDI style example “True” or “false”

Implementing Rules (Specification)

Reference Part B 7.1

Element name Specification
IR Obligation/ Mandatory
condition
Multiplicity [1] understood in the context of a conformity statement
when reported in the metadata – there may be more than
one conformity statement.

35
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

ISO Architecture (Specification)

Number 130
Name specification
Definition citation of the product specification or user requirement
against which data is being evaluated.
ISO reference dataQualityInfo/*/report/*/result/*/specification
Data type CI_Citation
Domain The following properties are expected:
Title: CharacterString
Alternate title: Character String
Explanation: CharacterString
Reference date: DateTime
Date type: Code List [MD_DateTypeCode]
ISDI style example First Data Specification Conformity:
INSPIRE Data Specification on Protected sites “Level of
conformance with the stated INSPIRE Data Specification”
“INSPIRE Data Specifications v3.0” False
2010-05-03
Publication

Second INSPIRE Interoperability Regulation Conformity:

COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23
November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the
European Parliament and of the Council as regards
interoperability of spatial data sets and services
“INSPIRE Interoperability Regulation”

2010-08-12
Publication

5.12.4 Lineage

Implementing Rules

Reference Part B 6.1

Element name Lineage
Obligation/ condition Mandatory.
Multiplicity [1] for datasets and dataset series.

ISO Architecture

Number 83
Name Statement
Definition General explanation of the data producer’s knowledge about
the lineage of a dataset.
ISO reference dataQualityInfo/*/lineage/*/statement
Data type CharacterString
Domain Free text
ISDI style example This dataset was digitised from Ordnance Survey of Ireland
1:10560 raster data. It was digitized on screen using
ArcGIS. The source projection is Irish National Grid

36
ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Annex A. Code Lists and Enumerations

A.1.1 ISO 19115 Code Lists and enumerations

The following code list and enumeration descriptions are defined by ISO
19115/19139 and are used in the ISDI Metadata Profile.

CI_DateTypeCode <<CodeList>> (ISO 19115 REF: B.5.2)

Name Domain code Definition

1. CI_Date codeListValue identification of when a given event
occurred.
2. Creation creation date identifies when the spatial resource
was brought into existence
3. Publication publication date identifies when the spatial resource
was issued
4. Revision revision date identifies when the resource was
examined or re-examined and improved or
amended

CI_RoleCode <<CodeList>> (ISO 19115 REF: B.5.5)

Name Domain code Definition

1. CI_RoleCode codeListValue function performed by the
responsible party
2. resourceProvider resourceProvider party that supplies the resource.
3. custodian custodian party that accepts accountability
and responsibility for the data
and ensures appropriate care
and maintenance of the
resource.
4. owner owner party that owns the resource
5. user user party who uses the resource
6. distributor distributor party who distributes the
resource
7. originator originator party who created the resource
8. pointOfContact pointOfContact party who can be contacted for
acquiring knowledge about or
acquisition of the resource

9. principalInvestigator principalInvestiga key party responsible for

tor gathering information and
conducting research

10. processor processor party who has processed the

data in a manner such that the
resource has been modified

11. publisher publisher party who published the

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

resource

12. author author party who authored the resource

MD_CharacterSetCode <<CodeList>> (ISO 19115 REF: B.5.10)

Name Domain code Definition

1. MD_CharacterSetCode codeListValue Name of the character coding
standard used for the spatial
resource
2. ucs2 ucs2 16-bit fixed size Universal
Character Set, based on ISO/IEC
10646
3. ucs4 ucs4 32-bit fixed size Universal
Character Set, based on ISO/IEC
10646
4. Utf7 Utf7 7-bit variable size UCS Transfer
Format, based on ISO/IEC
10646
5. Utf8 Utf8 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer
Format, based on ISO/IEC
10646
6. Utf16 Utf16 16-bit variable size UCS Transfer
Format, based on ISO/IEC
10646
7. 8859part1 8859part1 ISO/IEC 8859-1, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte
coded graphic
character sets – Part 1: Latin
alphabet No. 1
8. 8859part2 8859part2 ISO/IEC 8859-2, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte
coded graphic
character sets – Part 1: Latin
alphabet No. 2
9. 8859part3 8859part3 ISO/IEC 8859-3, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte
coded graphic
character sets – Part 1: Latin
alphabet No. 3
10. 8859part4 8859part4 ISO/IEC 8859-4, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte
coded graphic
character sets – Part 1: Latin
alphabet No. 4
11. 8859part5 8859part5 ISO/IEC 8859-51, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte
coded graphic character sets –
Part 5: Latin/Cyrillic alphabet
12. 8859part6 8859part6 ISO/IEC 8859-6, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte
coded graphic character sets –
Part 6: Latin/Arabic alphabet
13. 8859part7 8859part7 ISO/IEC 8859-7, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte
coded graphic character sets –

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Part 7: Latin/Greek alphabet

14. 8859part8 8859part8 ISO/IEC 8859-8, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte
coded graphic character sets –
Part 8: Latin/Hebrew alphabet
15. 8859part9 8859part9 ISO/IEC8859-9, Information
technology –8-bit single-byte
coded graphic character sets –
Part 9: Latin alphabet No. 5
16. 8859part10 8859part10 ISO/IEC 8859-10, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte coded
graphic
character sets – Part 10: Latin
alphabet No. 6
17. 8859part11 8859part11 ISO/IEC 8859-11, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte coded
graphic character sets – Part 11:
Latin/Thai alphabet
18. 8859part13 8859part13 ISO/IEC 8859-13, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte
coded graphic character sets –
Part 13: Latin alphabet No. 7
19. 8859part14 8859part14 ISO/IEC 8859-14, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte
coded graphic character sets –
Part 14: Latin alphabet No. 8
(Celtic)
20. 8859part15 8859part15 ISO/IEC 8859-15, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte
coded graphic character sets –
Part 15: Latin alphabet No. 9
21. 8859part16 8859part16 ISO/IEC 8859-16, Information
technology – 8-bit single-byte
coded graphic character sets –
Part 16: Latin alphabet No. 10
22. jis jis japanese code set used for
electronic transmission
23. shiftJIS shiftJIS japanese code set used on MS-
DOS based machines
24. eucJP eucJP japanese code set used on UNIX
based machines
25. usAscii usAscii united states ASCII code set
(ISO 646 US)
26. ebcdic ebcdic ibm mainframe code set
27. eucKR eucKR korean code set
28. big5 big5 traditional Chinese code set used
in Taiwan, Hong Kong of China
and other
areas

29. GB2312 GB2312 simplified Chinese code set

MD_KeywordTypeCode <<CodeList>> (ISO 19115 REF: B.5.17)

Name Domain code Definition

1. MD_Keywords codeListValue methods used to group similar

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

keywords
2. discipline Discipline keyword identifies a branch of
instruction or specialized
learning
3. place Place keyword identifies a location
4. stratum Stratum keyword identifies the layer(s)
of any deposited substance
5. temporal Temporal keyword identifies a time period
related to the spatial resource
6. theme Theme keyword identifies a particular
subject or topic

MD_MaintenanceFrequencyCode <<CodeList>> (ISO 19115 REF: B.5.18)

Name Domain code Definition

1. MD_MaintenanceInformation codeListValue frequency with which
modifications are made to
the resource after it
is first produced and the
frequency a resource is
sampled

2. annually Annually data is updated every year

3. asNeeded AsNeeded data is updated as deemed
necessary
4. biannually Biannually data is updated twice each
year
5. continual Continual data is repeatedly and
frequently updated
6. daily Daily data is updated each day
7. forthnightly Forthnightly data is updated every two
weeks
8. irregular Irregular data is updated in intervals
that are uneven in duration
9. monthly Monthly data is updated each
month
10. not planned Not planned there are no plans to
update the data
11. quarterly Quarterly data is updated every three
months
12. unknown Unknown frequency of maintenance
for the data is not known
13. weekly Weekly data is updated on a
weekly basis

MD_ProgressCode <<CodeList>> (ISO 19115 REF: B.5.23)

Name Domain code Definition

1. MD_ProgressCode ProgCd status of the dataset or progress
of a review
2. completed 001 production of the data has been
completed
3. historicalArchive 002 data has been stored in an
offline storage facility
4. obsolete 003 data is no longer relevant

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

5. onGoing 004 data is continually being

updated
6. planned 005 fixed date has been established
upon or by which the data will
be created or
updated
7. required 006 data needs to be generated or
updated
8. underDevelopment 007 data is currently in the process
of being created

MD_RestrictionCode <<CodeList>> (ISO 19115 REF: B.5.24)

Name Domain code Definition

1. MD_RestrictionCode codeListValue limitation(s) placed upon the
access or use of the spatial
resource
2. copyright Copyright exclusive right to the
publication, production, or sale
of the rights to a literary,
dramatic, musical, or artistic
work, or to the use of a
commercial print or
label, granted by law for a
specified period of time to an
author, composer,
artist, distributor
3. intellectual property Intellectual property rights to financial benefit from
rights rights and control of distribution of
non-tangible property that is a
result of creativity
4. license License formal permission to do
something
5. other restrictions Other restrictions limitation not listed
6. patent Patent government has granted
exclusive right to make, sell,
use or license an invention or
discovery
7. patentPending Patent pending produced or sold information
awaiting a patent
8. restricted Restricted withheld from general
circulation or disclosure
9. trademark Trademark a name, symbol, or other
device identifying a product,
officially registered and legally
restricted to the use of the
owner or manufacturer

MD_SpatialRepresentationTypeCode <<CodeList>> (ISO 19115 REF:

B.5.26)

Name Domain code Definition

1. MD_SpatialRepresentationType codeListValue method used to
represent geographic
information in the

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

dataset
2. Grid grid grid data is used to
represent geographic
data
3. Stereo model stereo model three-dimensional view
formed by the
intersecting
homologous rays of an
overlapping pair of
images
4. TIN tin triangulated irregular
network
5. Text table text table textual or tabular data
is used to represent
geographic data
6. Vector vector vector data is used to
represent geographic
data
7. Video video scene from a video
recording

MD_TopicCategoryCode << Enumeration>> (ISO 19115 REF: B.5.27)

Name Domain code Definition

1. MD_TopicCategoryCode codeListValue high-level geographic data
thematic classification to assist
in the grouping and search of
available geographic datasets.
Can be used to group
keywords as well. Listed
examples are not exhaustive.
NOTE It is understood there
are overlaps between general
categories and the user is
encouraged to select the one
most appropriate.
2. biota biota flora and/or fauna in
natural environment.
Examples: wildlife,
vegetation, biological
sciences, ecology,
wilderness, sea life,
wetlands, habitat
3. boundaries boundaries legal land descriptions
Examples: political and
administrative boundaries
4. climatologyMeteorology climatologyMeteor processes and phenomena
Atmopshere ologyAtmopshere of the atmosphere.
Examples: cloud cover,
weather, climate,
atmospheric conditions,
climate change,
precipitation
5. economy economy economic activities,

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

conditions and
employment. Examples:
production,
labour, revenue,
commerce, industry,
tourism and ecotourism,
forestry,
fisheries, commercial or
subsistence hunting,
exploration and
exploitation of resources
such as minerals, oil and
gas
6. elevation elevation height above or below sea
level. Examples: altitude,
bathymetry, digital
elevation models, slope,
derived products
7. environment environment environmental resources,
protection and conservation
Examples: environmental
pollution, waste storage
and treatment,
environmental impact
assessment, monitoring
environmental risk, nature
reserves, landscape
8. farming farming rearing of animals and/or
cultivation of plants
Examples: agriculture,
irrigation, aquaculture,
plantations, herding, pests
and diseases affecting
crops and livestock
9. geoscientificInformation geoscientificInform information pertaining to
ation earth sciences. Examples:
geophysical features
and processes, geology,
minerals, sciences dealing
with the composition,
structure and origin of the
earth’s rocks, risks of
earthquakes, volcanic
activity, landslides, gravity
information, soils,
permafrost, hydrogeology,
erosion
10. health health health, health services,
human ecology, and safety
Examples: disease and
illness, factors affecting
health, hygiene, substance
abuse, mental and
physical health, health
services
11. imageryBaseMapsEarth imageryBaseMaps base maps Examples: land
Cover EarthCover cover, topographic maps,

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

imagery, unclassified
images, annotations
12. inlandWaters inlandWaters inland water features,
drainage systems and their
characteristics. Examples:
rivers and glaciers, salt
lakes, water utilization
plans, dams, currents,
floods,
water quality, hydrographic
charts
13. intelligenceMilitary intelligenceMilitary military bases, structures,
activities Examples:
barracks, training grounds,
military transportation,
information collection

14. location location positional information and

services. Examples:
addresses, geodetic
networks, control points,
postal zones and services,
place names
15. oceans oceans features and characteristics
of salt water bodies
(excluding inland waters)
Examples: tides, tidal
waves, coastal information,
reefs
16. planningCadastre planningCadastre information used for
appropriate actions for
future use of the land.
Examples:
land use maps, zoning
maps, cadastral surveys,
land ownership
17. society society characteristics of society
and cultures. Examples:
settlements, anthropology,
archaeology, education,
traditional beliefs, manners
and customs, demographic
data, recreational areas
and activities, social impact
assessments, crime and
justice, census information
18. structure structure man-made construction.
Examples: buildings,
museums, churches,
factories, housing,
monuments, shops, towers
19. transportation transportation means and aids for
conveying persons and/or
goods. Examples: roads,
airports/airstrips, shipping
routes, tunnels, nautical
charts, vehicle or vessel

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

location, aeronautical
charts, railways
20. utilitiesCommunication utilitiesCommunica energy, water and waste
tion systems and
communications
infrastructure and services
Examples: hydroelectricity,
geothermal, solar and
nuclear sources of energy,
water purification and
distribution, sewage
collection and disposal,
electricity and gas
distribution, data
communication,
telecommunication,
radio, communication
networks

CI_OnLineFunctionCode << Enumeration>> (ISO 19115 REF: B.5.27)

Name Domain code Definition

1. CI_OnLineFunctionCode codeListValue Online function of the URL in
terms of the spatial resource
2. Download download The spatial resource can be
downloaded from the link.
3. Information information More information on the
spatial resource is available
from the link.
4. Offline Access offlineAccess Details on how to request an
offline copy of the spatial
resource is available from
the link.
5. Order order More information on how to
order the spatial resource is
available from the link.
6. Search search Online link provides more
search details

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

A.2.1 INSPIRE Code Lists and enumerations

MD_ScopeCode <<CodeList>> (INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules –

reduced options from ISO codelist)

Name Domain code Definition

1. MD_ScopeCode codeListValue class of information to which the referencing
entity applies according to INSPIRE
requirements

2. dataset dataset information applies to the dataset

3 series series information applies to the series
4. service service information applies to a capability
which a service provider entity makes
available to a service user entity
through a set of interfaces that define a
behaviour, such as a use case

MD_RepresentativeFraction <<CodeList>> (ISDI Suggestions)

Name Domain code Definition

1. MD_RepresentativeFraction codeListValue Spatial resolution of the
resource
2. 1: 5’000 5000 1 to 5000 scale
3. 1:10’000 10000 1 to 10000 scale
4. 1:25’000 25000 1 to 25000 scale
5. 1:50’000 50000 1 to 50000 scale
6. 1:100’000 100000 1 to 100000 scale
7. 1:200’000 200000 1 to 200000 scale
8. 1:300’000 300000 1 to 300000 scale
9. 1:500’000 500000 1 to 500000 scale
10. 1:1000’000 1000000 1 to 1000000 scale

equivalentScale<distance <<CodeList>> (ISDI Suggestions)

Name Domain code Definition

1. equivalentScale codeListValue Distance units of measure associated
with the spatial resolution of the
resource
2. milimeter mm milimetre distance unit
3. centimetre cm centimetre distance unit
4. metres m metre distance unit
5. kilometer km kilometre distance unit

Name Domain code Definition

1. equivalentScale codeListValue Distance units associated with the
spatial resolution of the resource
2. 10 cm 0.10 10 centimetres
3. 25 cm 0.25 25 centimetres
4. 50 cm 0.5 50 centimetres
5. 1m 1 1 metre
6. 30 m 30 30 metres
7. 100 m 100 100 metres

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ISDI Metadata Profile (spatial data sets and data set series)

Annex B. ISDI “dataset” Metadata Profile

Vocabularies
The following controlled vocabulary lists are used by the ISDI Metadata Profile.

B.1.1 Descriptive Keywords

The ISDI Metadata Profile uses the GEneral Multilingual Environmental

Thesaurus (ie. GEMET), that has been developed as an indexing, retrieval and
control tool for the European Topic Centre on Catalogue of Data Sources
(ETC/CDS) and the European Environment Agency (EEA), Copenhagen.

According to the INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules it is mandatory to

reference the INSPIRE Spatial Data Themes GEMET thesaurus reference:

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0, 2008-06-01

This complete list of 34 Annex I, Annex II and Annex III themes is available from
http://www.eionet.europa.eu/gemet/inspire_themes.

In addition to the INSPIRE Spatial Data Theme, other keywords may be

added. These may be described as a free text or may originate from any
Controlled Vocabulary. If they originate from a Controlled Vocabulary (Thesaurus,
Ontology), for example GEMET or EUROVOC, then the citation of the originating
Controlled Vocabulary shall be provided, The ISDI Metadata Profile recommends
reference to other ISO keyword type from the GEMET Concepts Thesaurus:

GEMET - Concepts, version 2.4, 2010-01-13

The Search Thesaurus for keywords can be accessed from

http://www.eionet.europa.eu/gemet/search?langcode=en.

An alternative Thesaurus for marine information can be accessed

from the NERC Vocabulary Server.

NERC BODC Parameter Dictionary

Another alternative Thesaurus for ‘geological’ information can be

accessed from the online Geological multilingual Dictionary services
developed by the French Geological Survey for an INSPIRE project

Geological multilingual Dictionary

47