Reference Codes For Environment Data



All codes have now been moved to RECO. Address details can be found at RLABO/SLABO/ALABO

Instructions
  • Field Code Definitions
  • Reference Code Annexes
  • Searching
  • Species lists

    • Diverse Information
    ICES area codes For information only
    Monitoring guidelines Guidelines

    Instructions

    In the box below, you will see the form which is used in searching. Note that this box is an inactive example. Choose "Search for codes" at the top of this page to enter the active site.

    General Lookup Area Search within a General Lookup       
    Field Code   Reference Code Code    Description Other
    Select from the drop down box

    General Lookup Area

    The left side is the "General Lookup Area" for searching when you have the reporting format in your hand. The right side is for searching when you have no idea as to how the reporting formats work. The two sides reflect different ways of searching for information.

    Field Code

    Each record in a reporting format consists of a number of fields which together comprise information about the record. A field code is the shortened name used to refer to the field. If you need to know what the definition of a field is, choose "Field Code", and the drop-down box will show a list of all fields as specified in the reporting formats. Note that this list also includes Fisheries field codes, so you should have the relevant reporting format available to refer to.

    Results are listed underneath the box and this section is equivalent to the current "Field Code Definition" document for versions 2.2 and 3.1 of the Environmental Data reporting formats. If you choose a field code, for example, "PARAM", you will see the definition of that field for each of the relevant reporting format versions. Be sure to choose the version that applies to the data you are submitting. Note that version 3.2 is only under development so some field code definitions may be blank. Under the definition is a list of records where "PARAM" can be reported.

    Reference Code

    Some fields are associated with a list of values which can be reported in a particular field. Other lists of values are used to describe related information. The term "Reference code" refers to lists of valid values. If you choose "Reference Code", the drop-down box will show a different list than that found in the drop-down box for "Field Codes". For example, if you choose "PARAM" from the "Reference Code" list, you will get a list of all valid values which can be used in the field "PARAM" (parameters).

    In addition, on the right side of the screen you will get related information, for example, related CAS numbers or parameter groups. By highlighting the code, and then choosing "CAS number", you will get the specific CAS number for the parameter.

    If you want to see a list of parameters for a certain parameter group, for example, dioxins, choose "Reference Code", then "Pargroup", highlight the group "Dioxins" and then on the right choose "parameters". You will get a list of all dioxins which currently have codes in our database.

    Search within a General Lookup

    Searching

    General Lookup Area Search within a General Lookup       
    Field Code   Reference Code Code    Description Other
    Select from the drop down box

    The right hand side of the box is used for searching within the areas chosen on the left. To start, choose the area on the left: a field code or a value from the reference codes. Then choose on the right where you want to look: in the codes, in the descriptions/definitions/names or in "other" areas, for example, synonyms or notes. % is used as a wild card.

    For example, you want to find the code for a parameter but you are not sure of the correct name in English but know that the name includes "ethyl". Check "Reference Code" on the left, and "Description" on the right and type in %ethyl% in the search box. The result will give any parameter description which contains "ethyl". If you don't find what you want, choose "other" and the database will search through synonyms and other relationships.

    Another example to get you started: you want to find the code for a CAS number which contains "510". Choose "Reference Code" on the left and "Code" on the right, then type %510% in the box. Find the relevant code.

    Species

    A number of species lists have been set up to check that a species is on an accepted list. This is done via DATSU (See available lists at RECO RLIST). If the name is not on an approved species list, the data submitter will get an error, and the data won't be able to be loaded into the database. Those species which are not currently on any list will have to be submitted to ERMS (which is coordinating with ITIS) either by the data submitter himself or via a working group. Those of you who are reporting phytoplankton data for HELCOM should use the HELCOM PEG Biovolume list to report size classes. See www.ices.dk/env/repfor/ for the latest PEG_Biovolume update.

    Help has been set up to quickly search the ITIS database for species. You can visit the query page at http://datras.ices.dk/Data_products/qryspec.aspx.