Code Table Request - event habitat

[Jegelewicz]

Instructions

This is a template to facilitate communication with the Arctos Code Table Committee. Submit a separate request for each relevant value. This form is appropriate for exploring how data may best be stored, for adding vocabulary, or for updating existing definitions.

Reviewing documentation before proceeding will result in a more enjoyable experience.

• Issue Documentation
• Code Table Documentation
• Video Tutorial - Submit a Code Table Request

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Initial Request

Goal: Describe what you're trying to accomplish. This is the only necessary step to start this process. The Committee is available to assist with all other steps. Please clearly indicate any uncertainty or desired guidance if you proceed beyond this step.

For background see #5703

Proposed Value: Proposed new value. This should be clear and compatible with similar values in the relevant table and across Arctos.

event habitat

Proposed Definition: Clear, complete, non-collection-type-specific functional definition of the value. Avoid discipline-specific terminology if possible, include parenthetically if unavoidable.

Description of the environment during the event.

_Attribute data type If the request is for an attribute, what values will be allowed?
free-text, categorical, or number+units depending upon the attribute (TBA)

free text

_Attribute controlled values If the values are categorical (to be controlled by a code table), add a link to the appropriate code table. If a new table or set of values is needed, please elaborate.

N/A

_Attribute units If numerical values should be accompanied by units, provide a link to the appropriate units table.

N/A

Context: Describe why this new value is necessary and existing values are not.

Table: Code Tables are http://arctos.database.museum/info/ctDocumentation.cfm. Link to the specific table or value. This may involve multiple tables and will control datatype for Attributes. OtherID requests require BaseURL (and example) or explanation. Please ask for assistance if unsure.

https://arctos.database.museum/info/ctDocumentation.cfm?table=ctcoll_event_attr_type

Collection type: Some code tables contain collection-type-specific values. collection_cde may be found from https://arctos.database.museum/home.cfm

N/A

Priority: Please describe the urgency and/or choose a priority-label to the right. You should expect a response within two working days, and may utilize Arctos Contacts if you feel response is lacking.

Available for Public View: Most data are by default publicly available. Describe any necessary access restrictions.

yes

Project: Add the issue to the Code Table Management Project.

Discussion: Please reach out to anyone who might be affected by this change. Leave a comment or add this to the Committee agenda if you believe more focused conversation is necessary.

@ArctosDB/arctos-code-table-administrators

Approval

All of the following must be checked before this may proceed.

The How-To Document should be followed. Pay particular attention to terminology (with emphasis on consistency) and documentation (with emphasis on functionality).

• Code Table Administrator[1] - check and initial, comment, or thumbs-up to indicate that the request complies with the how-to documentation and has your approval
• Code Table Administrator[2] - check and initial, comment, or thumbs-up to indicate that the request complies with the how-to documentation and has your approval
• DBA - The request is functionally acceptable. The term is not a functional duplicate, and is compatible with existing data and code.
• DBA - Appropriate code or handlers are in place as necessary. (ID_References, Media Relationships, Encumbrances, etc. require particular attention)

Rejection

If you believe this request should not proceed, explain why here. Suggest any changes that would make the change acceptable, alternate (usually existing) paths to the same goals, etc.

1. Can a suitable solution be found here? If not, proceed to (2)
2. Can a suitable solution be found by Code Table Committee discussion? If not, proceed to (3)
3. Take the discussion to a monthly Arctos Working Group meeting for final resolution.

Implementation

Once all of the Approval Checklist is appropriately checked and there are no Rejection comments, or in special circumstances by decree of the Arctos Working Group, the change may be made.

Review everything one last time. Ensure the How-To has been followed. Ensure all checks have been made by appropriate personnel.

Make changes as described above. Ensure the URL of this Issue is included in the definition.

Close this Issue.

DO NOT modify Arctos Authorities in any way before all points in this Issue have been fully addressed; data loss may result.

Special Exemptions

In very specific cases and by prior approval of The Committee, the approval process may be skipped, and implementation requirements may be slightly altered. Please note here if you are proceeding under one of these use cases.

1. Adding an existing term to additional collection types may proceed immediately and without discussion, but doing so may also subject users to future cleanup efforts. If time allows, please review the term and definition as part of this step.
2. The Committee may grant special access on particular tables to particular users. This should be exercised with great caution only after several smooth test cases, and generally limited to "taxonomy-like" data such as International Commission on Stratigraphy terminology.

[dustymc]

event habitat

Ditto #6218, love it (explicit, not confused with the other 'habitat') and hate it (what else would be attached to events?!).

Description of the natural environment at the time of the event.

Minimally, drop 'natural.' (And events ARE time so that seems a bit awkward.)

[ebraker]

I think this term encroaches on our existing habitat field ("rainy" = fine, "ephemeral wetland" = overlap).

Maybe broaden it to 'event conditions' so it is more strongly contextualized as a temporal descriptor and drops the word 'environment' altogether?

If that is agreeable, I would change definition to:

Description of the conditions at the time of the event.

[Jegelewicz]

I think this term encroaches on our existing habitat field

Maybe we should talk about replacing the existing habitat field with this event attribute (see #5703 )

[dustymc]

replacing the exiting habitat field with this event attribute

That would be ideal, I'm happy to migrate if ya'll can work out the details. (Don't forget about associated species if you're dragging stuff out of the swamp!)

The bulkloader will have event attributes on Friday, so this shouldn't present an entry problem.

encroaches on our existing habitat field

Not really - this is appropriate for something at the event-level, the other thing (at least if this comes to exist) should reference something sub-event (which could just be taken as evidence for an inappropriate event being formed....).

rainy

This would be wrong for that because https://arctos.database.museum/info/ctDocumentation.cfm?table=ctcoll_event_attr_type#weather exists - and the definitions should make that clear.

[dustymc]

tabling; please reopen if this is still a need.