ELCODE

For species: Unique identifier for an Element previously used in the Biological and Conservation Data system (BCD). The Element code (Elcode) consisted of a 10-character structure, as follows:

For ecological communities: A unique alphanumeric code of 3 to 10 characters assigned by the Central Ecology data manager. The first 1-4 characters of the Elcode are information-rich as follows:

• CEGL = Community Element Global

• CES = Community Ecological System

• CEPP = Community Element Proposed

• CEPS = Community Park Special

• A = Alliance

• G = Group

• M = Macrogroup

• D = Division

• F = Formation

• S = Subclass

• C = Class

• CST = Cultural Subtype

• CTY = Cultural Type

• CSG = Cultural Subgroup

• CGR = Cultural Group

• CSF = Cultural Subformation

• CFO = Cultural Formation

• CSC = Cultural Subclass

• CCL = Cultural Class

• NV = Nonveg

• FW = Fresh Water

• SW = Salt Water

• ST = Subterranean

• CAVE = Subterranean Community

• CECX = Community Complex (obsolete)

Data entry details:

For species: Each Element is uniquely identified in Biotics by the Element ID. However, since legacy BCD databases may still depend on the Elcode as a unique identifier, an Elcode can be assigned for an Element in Biotics. New ELCODEs for species Elements will not adhere to the information-rich structure of existing Elcodes, nor will existing Elcodes be revised due to changes in classification. ELCODEs for species Elements are to be designated by either NatureServe Central Botany or Zoology, as appropriate.

For communities: Each community Element is uniquely identified in Biotics by an Element ID and an Elcode. Elcodes for global community Elements are to be designated by NatureServe Central Ecology. The first 1-4 characters of community Elcodes are information-rich and the format is:

• CEGL###### = Community Element Global

• CES###.### = Community Ecological System

• CEPP###### = Community Element Proposed

• CEPS###### = Community Park Special

• A#### = Alliance

• G### = Group

• M### = Macrogroup

• D### = Division

• F## = Formation

• S## = Subclass

• C## = Class

• CST###### = Cultural Subtype

• CTY### = Cultural Type

• CSG### = Cultural Subgroup

• CGR### = Cultural Group

• CSF## = Cultural Subformation

• CFO## = Cultural Formation

• CSC## = Cultural Subclass

• CCL## = Cultural Class

• CECX#### = Community Complex (obsolete)

The Elcode for communities will always begin with the letter that denotes its type and will end with sequential numbers preceded by leading zeros. Thus, for global community Association Elements, the elcode will always begin with the string CEGL (Community Element Global), followed by sequential numbers (e.g., CEGL000001, CEGL000002, CEGL000003,...). Global community Ecological Systems elcodes will always begin with the string CES, followed by an information-rich 3-digit code for the primary Ecological Division in which it occurs, followed by a (when possible) unique 3-digit number.

For national and subnational community Elements or other nonstandards, the Elcode may follow the convention that has been in use by the agency. In the lack of a coding scheme, it is recommended that the convention of CE + state/province or country abbreviation be used (e.g., CEMN000001 for the first community Element in Minnesota).

Related Topics:

• Assigning a new ELCODE
• Change an ELCODE
• ELCODEs for nonstandard subnational community Elements
• Types of Elements
• Previous use of higher taxonomy in species ELCODEs
• Exceptions to coding schemes for Latin American species Elements

Data Model Details:

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