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This is a landing page that describes what the Darwin Core data standard is and why it is important in the context of paleo data. You can dive deeper via the links to related resources aggregated here.

Darwin Core is a data standard widely used by the biodiversity collections community, including for fossil specimens. It is primarily based on taxa, their occurrence in nature as documented by observations, specimens, samples, and related information. The standard is maintained by TDWGBiodiversity Information Standards. Formerly known as the Taxonomic Database Working Group. An international nonprofit organization focused on the development of standards for the exchange of biodiversity data. and actively evolving. Biodiversity aggregators such as GBIFGlobal Biodiversity Information Facility. International network and data infrastructure providing open access to biodiversity data, including fossils. use DwC to facilitate data mobilization.

Although data about fossil specimens can be shared via DwC, there are elements of the standard that merit additional attention from the paleo collections community, and possibly revision. PDWGPaleo Data Working Group. Community of practice centered around collections-based paleo and informatics professionals is currently working on an implementation guide for DwC that will inform this work.

Darwin Core Quick Reference Guide

This guide is intended to be an easy-to-read reference of the currently recommended terms maintained as part of the Darwin Core standard. It provides examples and comments to help users understand each term.

Metadata record last updated on 2025-10-08

Public review for a major set of proposed changes to Darwin CoreBiodiversity data standard maintained by TDWG, with terms for sharing species occurrence and specimen data. is now happening. Learn more and participate here.

Related content

  • Data standards (Explanation): This page explains what a data standard is and when you might use one. It links to How To Guide pages for the most widely used data standards in the paleo data community, and also links to external resources with additional information.
  • Latimer Core (Highlighted resource): This is a landing page that describes what the Latimer Core data standard is and why it is important in the context of paleo data. You can dive deeper via the links to related resources aggregated here.
  • Use Darwin Core (How to guide): This page contains detailed information about how to use the Darwin Core standard for paleo data, and also aggregates links to additional resources with more information.
  • Use Latimer Core (How to guide): This page contains general information about how to use the Latimer Core standard for paleo data, and also aggregates links to additional resources with more specific information.

Browse additional related content, including PDWG Happy Hours and links out to external resources, via topic: darwin core and data standard