What does FGDC CSDGM stand for?

The term FGDC CSDGM stands for Federal Geographic Data Committee Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata. This standard is crucial for ensuring that geospatial data is accompanied by adequate metadata, which describes the data's content, quality, condition, and other characteristics. The FGDC developed this standard to promote the sharing and interoperability of geospatial data across various federal agencies and organizations. By following the CSDGM, data producers can create metadata that provides users with essential information necessary for understanding, interpreting, and utilizing the geospatial data effectively.

In the broader context of geospatial data management, the FGDC CSDGM is foundational for good data governance practices and supports the objectives of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), which facilitates the collaboration and sharing of spatial data among federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, as well as the private sector and academia.