File level metadata provides granular information at the data file level to enable comparison of data files within a data set and the ability to search for and locate files across the data collection. The recommended file level metadata (FLMD) schema will describe the contents, scope, and structure of the data file within the ESS-DIVE repository. This metadata is fully consistent with and augments the metadata collected to describe each data set.
Instructions for how to use this reporting format:
Other documents:
-
CSV Data Dictionary
- Includes instructions, template, and example
The File Level Metadata reporting format was updated in August of 2025 to address feedback from adopters. The changes made in v1.1.2 focused on clarifying usage instructions for the fields header_rows and column_or_row_name_position in the File Level Metadata and the field missing_value_code in the Data Dictionary. No changes were made to the templates directly.
- Provide usage examples for
header_rowsandcolumn_or_row_name_positionfields in the File Level Metadata quick guide and README: example 1, example 2, example 3 - Clarify the
header_rowsfield definition (File Level Metadata) to avoid misinterpretation. - Provide clarity on the usage for
missing_value_codefield (Data Dictionary), including that the field is to be used to specify a single missing value code.
This ESS-DIVE File Level Metadata reporting format is evolving and growing to meet the needs of researchers. Feedback and new contributions are welcome. If you would like to suggest a change to the file level metadata reporting format please submit a GitHub issue using one of the templates we provide.
If you have any questions about this reporting format, you can also directly email ESS-DIVE support at [email protected].
Our issue templates were based on those used by Darwin Core.
Darwin Core maintenance group, Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG) (2014). Darwin Core. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.592792
This repository content is license for use under the CC BY 4.0 license
Funding for the development of ESS-DIVE File Level Metadata Reporting Format was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Climate and Environmental Science Division, Data Management program under contract number DE-AC02-05CH11231.
Velliquette, T., Welch, J., Crow, M., Devarakonda, R., Heinz, S., Crystal-Ornelas, R. (2021). ESS-DIVE Reporting Format for File-level Metadata. Environmental Systems Science Data Infrastructure for a Virtual Ecosystem (ESS-DIVE), ESS-DIVE Repository. https://doi.org/10.15485/1734840
McNelis, J., Crow, M., and Devarakonda, R., ESS-DIVE File Level Metadata Extractor. Computer Software. https://code.ornl.gov/ngee-arctic/ess-dive-meta. 01 Oct. 2020. Web. doi:10.11578/dc.20201103.5.
EDI (Environmental Data Initiative). 2019. Five phases of data publishing - Phase 2: Format and QC data tables. https://environmentaldatainitiative.org/five-phases-of-data-publishing/phase-2/
EML (Ecological Metadata Language). 2019. Ecological Metadata Language Version 2.2.0. https://doi.org/10.5063/F11834T2
Evans, K., et al. 2016. ESDS-RFC-027v1.1 - ASCII File Format Guidelines for Earth Science Data. https://cdn.earthdata.nasa.gov/conduit/upload/4827/ESDS-RFC-027v1.1.pdf
FGDC (Federal Geographic Data Committee). 2016. National Geospatial Data Assets (NGDA) Metadata Guidelines, Version 3. https://www.geoplatform.gov/wpcontent/ uploads/2018/05/NGDA_Metadata_Guidelines_v3.pdf
Pepler, S., Parton, G. (2009) The BADC Text File Guide for users, and producers. Documentation. https://help.ceda.ac.uk/article/105-badc-csv
Shafranovich, Y. (2005) RFC 4180 - Common Format and MIME Type for Comma-Separated Values (CSV) Files. https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc4180