AIMS Database Documentation

The goal of American Bird Conservancy's Avian Incident Monitoring System (AIMS) Database is to serve as a centralized database of reliable data on the field effects of pesticides on wildlife as measured by the lethal and sub-lethal impacts on birds. The database will provide critical information for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), other federal and state agencies, industry, non-government organizations, researchers and the public. The database was last updated in July 2004.

The Avian Incident Monitoring System database is designed in Microsoft Access and contains the following tables:

• Biochem (Biochemical Analyses)

• Bird

• Contacts

• Event

• PestAssoc (Pesticide Associations)

• PestUse (Pesticide Use)

• ResidueAnal (Residue Analyses)

• Sample

• SppAff (Species Affected)

• AppMethods (Application Methods)

• Certainty

• ContactRef (Contact Reference)

• Fips (Federal Information Processing Standards)

• Formulations

• LandUse

• Legality

• Orgs (Organizations)

• PesticideRef (Pesticide Reference)

• SourceRef (Source Reference)

• SppRef (Species Reference)

• Sources

• Update

Primary Data Tables

Biochem (Biochemical Analyses) – This table contains detailed information on biochemical analyses (typically cholinesterase activity) done on bird tissue samples (listed in the Sample table). This table contains fourteen columns of data which are:

• BiochemID – a number field which uniquely identifies each record of biochemical analysis. Primary key.

• Sample_ID – a text field which identified the sample analyzed. Linked to the Sample table.

• ChE – a number field containing the cholinesterase activity of the sample (if analyzed for cholinesterase) in the units uMol/g/min.

• Reactivation – a number field containing the cholinesterase activity of the sample after reactivation, if measured (also in uMol/g/min).

• Control – a number field containing the control value for cholinesterase used to interpret the results.

• ControlMethod – a text field identifying the method of control or source of the control data.

• AnalysisComments – a memo field containing additional information, primarily the interpretation of the results (i.e. whether cholinesterase activity was inhibited).

• ControlComments – a memo field containing additional information on the control used in the analysis.

• Laboratory – a text field identifying the laboratory responsible for the analysis.

• DateAnalyzed – a date/time field containing the date on which the sample was analyzed.

• TimeAnalyzed – a date/time field containing the time at which the sample was analyzed, if provided (significant for reactivation data).

• DateRecd – a date/time field containing the date on which the laboratory received the sample.

• SampleComments – a memo field containing additional information about the sample.

• AnalyticalMethod – a text field containing the method used in the analysis.

Bird – This table contains any available detailed information on the examined birds collected during the incident. This table contains eighteen columns of data which are:

• BirdID – an autonumber field uniquely identifying each bird or groups of birds examined. Primary Key.

• Event_ID – a number field identifying the event the record pertains to. Linked to the SppAff (Species Affected) table.

• Species_ID – a text field identifying the species affected in the incident. (Each species affected in the incident has a separate record in this table.) Linked to the SppAff (Species Affected) table.

• NoBirds – a number field containing the number of birds the record pertains to: typically based on the summarization of reported necropsy and analysis data.

• CollectionDate – a date/time field containing the date when the bird was collected from the incident site.

• ExamDate – a date/time field containing the date when the bird was examined and necropsied.

• Sex – a text field containing the sex (if known) of the bird: M (male), F (female), U (unknown) or “Mixed” in cases of multiple birds including both sexes.

• Age – a text field identifying the age or maturity of the bird. Pull-down menu includes Nestling, Fledgling, Juvenile, Immature, Adult. Other descriptions may be entered.

• WeightG – a number field containing the weight of the bird given in grams.

• Euthanized – a yes/no field identifying whether or not the bird was euthanized.

• History – a memo field containing a text description of the history of the bird, typically including when and where the bird was first found, clinical signs, any treatment provided, and transfer of the birds between facilities.

• BodyCondition – a text field containing the pathologist’s best estimate of the bird’s body condition prior to the incident. Pull-down menu of choices: Emaciated, Poor, Fair, Good, and Excellent.

• PostMortemState – a text field containing the condition of the carcass on examination according to the pathologist’s judgment. Pull-down menu of choices: Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent.

• Observations – a memo field containing a review of any notable observations made during the exam, external and internal.

• GutContents – a yes/no field identifying whether or not there were gut contents present and viable.

• GutContDesc – a text field containing a description of the gut contents.

• Diagnosis – a memo field containing the cause of death given in report / by pathologist.

• PestImp – a yes/no field identifying whether a pesticide is implicated as responsible for the bird’s death.

Contacts – This table identifies the people involved in the reporting, data collection, and data submission for each incident. This table contains four columns of data which are:

• CEID – an autonumber field uniquely identifying each association between a contact and an incident. Primary key.

• Event_ID – a number field identifying the event the record pertains to. Linked to the Event table.

• Contact_ID – a number field identifying the contact person contributing to this incident record. Linked to the ContactRef table.

• Role – a text field identifying the role this contact played in this incident.

Event – This table contains basic information for each incident, primarily where and when the incident occurred. This table contains sixteen columns of data which are:

• EventID – an autonumber field which is used to uniquely identify each pesticide incident. Primary key.

• StartDate – a date/time field which is used to identify the best known start date of morbidity/mortality of birds associated with the incident.

• EndDate – a date/time field which is used to identify the best known end date of morbidity/mortality of birds associated with the incident.

• Country – a text field which identifies the country in which the incident occurred. Currently a pull-down menu with the following options: US, CA, MX.

• State_ID – a text field with a pull-down menu which identifies the 2-letter abbreviation for the state or province in which the incident occurred. Linked to the FIPS table.

• County_ID – a text field with a pull-down menu which identifies the county or parish in which the incident occurred. Linked to the FIPS table.

• Location – a memo field describing the location of the incident. May provide Township, Range, Section information, or street or city name.

• Latitude – a text field which provides the Latitude (GPS Coordinate) of the Location, as best known, in degrees, minutes and seconds.

• Longitude – a text field which provides the Longitude (GPS Coordinate) of the Location, as best known, in degrees, minutes and seconds.

• SiteMap – an “OLE Object” which allows attachment of an outside document such as an image file or PDF with a map of the incident location.

• NotificationDate – a date/time field which is used to identify the best known date of initial notification of a possible incident to a responsible agency.

• ReportDate – a date/time field which is used to identify the date the responsible agency reported the incident.

• LandUse_ID – a text field with a pull-down menu which identifies the primary land use associated with the location of the incident, where birds were found.

• Weather – a memo field describing any notable or unusual weather occurring just prior to or during the incident.

• Photos – and “OLE Object” which allows attachment of an outside document such as an image file or PDF with photos related to the incident.

• QA – an administrative number field used to identify the Quality Assurance and Quality Control review that the incident has undergone at ABC.

PestAssoc (Pesticide Associations)– This table identifies what pesticides are related to each incident. This table contains five columns of data which are:

• PestAssocID – an autonumber field uniquely identifying each record of any pesticide related to any incident. Primary key.

• Event_ID – a number field which uniquely identifies each pesticide incident. Linked to the Event table.

• Pest_Name – a text field identifying the pesticide associated with the incident by name. Linked to PesticideRef table.

• Certainty_Code – a number field which uses the numbers 1-7 to identify the degree of certainty, based on the amount of supporting data and evidence, that the pesticide is significantly involved in or responsible for the incident. Linked to the

• Comment – a memo field used to provide comments on the assigned certainty code. Comments on legality of pesticide usage may also be provided here.

PestUse (Pesticide Use) – This table provides any available detailed information on the pesticide use(s) related to each incident. This table contains fifteen columns of data which are:

• PestAssocID – an autonumber field uniquely identifying each record of any pesticide related to any incident. Primary key. Linked to PesticideAssoc table.

• ProductName – a text field identifying the pesticide product associated with the incident by name.

• Formulation_Code – a text field giving a 1-3 letter code for the formulation (i.e. granular) of the pesticide used. Linked to the Formulations table, where formulations are defined.

• PestUseSite_Code – a text field which contains the 1-3 letter code for the land use or crop where the pesticide was applied. Linked to the LandUse table, where land use categories are defined.

• AppMeth – a text field with the 1-3 letter code for the method of pesticide application. Linked to the AppMethod table, where application methods are defined.

• Aerial/Ground – a text field with a pull-down menu to identify whether the crop was applied aerially or directly to the ground.

• AppRate – a text field containing the rate at which the pesticide was applied (typically in volume or weight per area of land).

• SprayRate – a text field containing the rate at which a spray solution of pesticide was applied.

• Pest – a text field identifying the pest targeted by the pesticide usage.

• ExtentApp – a text field identifying the extent of the pesticide application: whether to a whole field or only some rows.

• Equipment – a text field identifying the equipment used to apply the pesticide.

• OtherInfo – a memo field of other information provided regarding the pesticide application.

• Legality_Code – a text field containing the determination or the legal nature of the pesticide application, selected from a pull-down menu: A (Intentional Abuse), L (Legal or Label Use), M (Misuse or Unintentional Abuse), and U (Unknown). Linked to the Legality table.

• Chronology – a memo field for a chronologic summary of events contributing to the incident, according to the investigator.

ResidueAnal (Residue Analyses) – This table contains detailed information on the residue analyses run on bird tissue samples (listed in the Sample table). This table contains nineteen columns of data which are:

• Sample_ID – a text field which identified the sample analyzed. Linked to the Sample table. Part of the primary key.

• Chemical – a text field identifying the compound detected in the analysis. Part of the primary key.

• Result – a number field containing the concentration at which the compound was detected within the sample.

• Units – a text field identifying the units of the result, most commonly ppm (parts per million).

• dw/ww – a text field identifying whether the results are given in “wet weight” (ww) or “dry weight” (dw) if known.

• DetectLimit – a text field containing the detection limit, or lowest concentration detectable by the analysis procedure, given in the same units as the result.

• RefMaterial – a text field containing the reference material used as a control.

• RMConcentration – a number field containing the concentration of the reference material in the control.

• RMUnits – a text field identifying the units of the reference material concentration, most commonly ppm (parts per million).

• PercentSpikeRec – a number field containing the percent spike recovery for the analysis.

• BlankConc – a text field containing the concentration of the control blanks used in the analysis.

• PercentRelDiff – a number field containing the percent relative difference in the control.

• SampleComments – a memo field containing additional information about the sample.

• MethodComments – a memo field containing additional information, primarily the interpretation of the results (i.e. whether cholinesterase activity was inhibited).

• Laboratory – a text field identifying the laboratory responsible for the analysis.

• DateAnalyzed – a date/time field containing the date on which the sample was analyzed.

• TimeAnalyzed – a date/time field containing the time at which the sample was analyzed, if provided (significant for reactivation data).

• DateRecd – a date/time field containing the date on which the laboratory received the sample.

• AnalysisMethod – a text field containing the method used in the analysis.

Sample – This table contains information on tissue samples collected from examined birds (listed in the Bird table) for further analysis. This table contains six columns of data which are:

• SampleID – a text field uniquely identifying each sample. Primary key.

• Bird_ID – a number field identifying the bird from which the sample was taken. Linked to the Bird table.

• SDateColl – a date/time field containing the date when the sample was collected.

• Specimen – a text field containing the sample “matrix” or tissue. Pull-down menu contains the most frequent tissues: Brain, Liver, Ingesta, GI Contents, Crop Contents.

• Analysis – a text field containing the type of analysis performed on the sample. Pull-down menu includes: Cholinesterase Activity, Residue Analysis, Anticoagulant Screen.

• Results – a memo field containing a summary of the analysis results.

SppAff (Species Affected) – This table identifies what species (of bird) were affected in the incident. This table contains eleven columns of data which are:

• Event_ID – a number field identifying the event the record pertains to. Linked to the event table and part of the primary key.

• Species_ID – a text field identifying the species affected in the incident. (Each species affected in the incident has a separate record in this table.) Linked to the SppRef (Species Reference) table and part of the primary key. A pull-down menu lists the species in teh database.

• NumberDead – a number field containing the number of birds (of this species) killed in this incident.

• EstMethDead – a text field describing the count methodology for the “NumberDead” field, with a pull-down menu: C (Count), A (Approximation), T (Estimation based on Transects), U (Unknown).

• NoDeadColl – a number field containing the number of dead birds (of this species) collected from the site for examination.

• NumberLive – a number field containing the number of birds (of this species) sub-lethally affected in this incident.

• EstMethLive – a text field describing the count methodology for the “NumberLive” field, with a pull-down menu: C (Count), A (Approximation), T, U (Unknown).

• NoLiveColl – a number field containing the number of sub-lethally affected birds (of this species) collected from the site for examination

• ClinSigns – a memo field containing notable behavior of physical signs displayed by the birds at the site of the incident

• AtRisk – a yes/no field identifying whether the species has been seen frequenting the site in significant numbers, or is a threatened species dependent on the site, and thus, is at risk.

• Notes – a memo field available for further comments related to the bird species affected by the incident.

Reference Tables

AppMethods (Application Methods) – This table contains definitions of pesticide application method codes. It contains three columns of data which are:

• AppMethCode – a text field containing the 1-3 letter code for the application method. Primary key.

• ApplicationMethod – a text field containing the full name of the application method.

• ApplicationDesc – a text field containing a definition of the application method.

Certainty – This table contains definitions of certainty values. It contains three columns of data which are:

• CertaintyCode – a number field containing the certainty level (numbers 1-7). Primary key.

• ShortDesc – a text field containing a 1-2 word description of the level of certainty.

• Description – a memo field containing a description of the amount of evidence which fulfills the requirements for the level of certainty.

ContactRef (Contact Reference) – This table contains information for each contact person. It contains ten columns of data which are:

• ContactID – an autonumber field uniquely identifying each AIMS Contact. Primary key.

• Affiliation_ID – a text field identifying the organization with which the contact is associated. Linked to the Orgs table.

• Confidential – a yes/no field identifying whether the contact is confidential.

• FirstName – a text field containing the first name of the contact.

• LastName – a text field containing the last name of the contact.

• Phone – a text field containing the phone number of the contact, if available.

• Fax – a text field containing the phone number of the contact, if available.

• Email – a text field containing the email address of the contact, if available.

• Relationship – a text field describing the contact’s role as it relates to AIMS (i.e. Wildlife Biologist)

• Notes – a memo field containing additional information.

FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards)– This table contains descriptions of location data. It contains six columns of data which are:

• StateID – a text field which contains the two letter designations for all U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Part of primary key.

• CountyID – a text field which contains the names of all counties in the U.S. Part of primary key.

• FIPS – a text field containing the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) code for all U.S. locations

• Acres – a number field containing the acres associated with each FIPS code, if abvailable.

• Latitude – a number field containing the latitude associated with the FIPS code.

• Longitude – a number field containing the longitude associated with the FIPS code.

Formulations – This table contains definitions of pesticide formulation codes. It contains three columns of data which are:

• FormulationCode – a text field containing a 1-3 letter code for the pesticide formulation (i.e. granular). Primary key.

• FormulationName – a text field containing the formulation (unabbreviated).

• FDefinition – a memo field containing a description of the pesticide formulation.

LandUse – This table contains definitions of land use codes. It contains three columns of data which are:

• LandUseCode – a text field containing a 1-3 letter code for the land use or crop, if agricultural. Primary key.

• LUDefinition – a text field containing the unabbreviated land usage (i.e. residential).

• LUDetails – a text field containing a description of the land usage if unclear.

Legality – This table contains definitions of legality categories. It contains two columns of data which are:

• LegalityCode – a text field containing a one letter code for the legality of pesticide use (A, L, M, U). Primary key.

• LegalityDesc – a text field containing the legality described by the code (Abuse, Legal, Misuse, Unknown)

Orgs (Organizations)– This table contains information on organizations involved in AIMS data collection and submission. It contains ten columns of data which are:

• AffiliationID – a text field uniquely identifying the organization, typically the acronym of its name. Primary key.

• Organization – a text field containing the full name of the organization.

• Address – a text field containing the street address of the organization office.

• City – a text field containing the name of the city where the organization is located.

• State – a text field containing the two letter abbreviation for the state in which the organization is located.

• PostalCode – a text field containing the postal (zip) code for the organization office.

• Country – a text field containing the name of the country where the organization is located.

• Phone – a text field containing the phone number for the organization.

• Fax – a text field containing the fax number for the organization.

• Notes – a memo field containing additional information about the organization.

PesticideRef (Pesticide Reference) – This table contains information on individual pesticides. It contains eight columns of data which are:

• PesticideCN – a text field containing the common name of the pesticide. Primary key.

• PCCODE – a text field uniquely identifying each pesticide by the code used by EPA.

• Prefix – a text field containing the prefix of the full chemical name of pesticide.

• FullName – a text field containing the full chemical name of pesticide, without prefix.

• PestType – a text field containing the type of pesticide, abbreviated. Pull-down menu includes A (acaricide), F (fungicide), H (herbicide), I (insecticide), N (nematocide), R (rodenticide), O (other).

• PestClass – a text field containing the chemical class of the pesticide (e.g. Amide, Organophosphate, Carbamate, etc.).

• MOA – a text field containing the Mode of Action, or how the pesticide affects the target species (i.e. anticoagulant).

• Active? – a yes/no field identifying whether the pesticide is currently registered for use in the U.S.

SppRef (Species Reference) – This table contains information on individual bird species. It contains thirteen columns of data which are:

• SpeciesID – a text field uniquely identifying each bird species accepted by AOU by common name. Primary key.

• ScientificName – a text field containing the scientific name for each species.

• Family – a text field containing the family for each species.

• Order – a text field containing the order for each species.

• Class – a text field containing the class (Aves) for each species.

• Listed – a text field identifying whether the species is listed as threatened or endangered under the federal endangered species act. Based on the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) federal list of threatened and endangered species.

• Status – a text field containing the species status (i.e. threatened, endangered) if it is listed.

• Year_Listed – a number field containing the year the species was listed on the ESA.

• Reference – a text field containing the reference which defines the common name of the species (AOU).

• RefYear – a number field containing the year of the reference which defines the common name (most recent update).

• IT IS_Code – a number field containing the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Code for each species, if available.

• PIF_Score – a number field containing the Partners in Flight combined species assessment score for each species.

• GreenList – a number field containing the Greenlist category if the species in on the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). 1 = Highest Continental Concern, 2 = Moderately Abundant Species with Declines or High Threats, 3 = Species with Restricted Distributions and Low Population Size.

Administrative Tables

Sources – This table contains the sources of data for each incident and the record identification used by the source. This table contains three columns of data which are:

• Event_ID – a number field which uniquely identifies each pesticide incident. Linked to the Event table.

• Source – a text field uniquely identifying the data contributor, typically by the acronym of its name. Part of Primary key. Linked to Orgs table.

• SourceID – a text field containing the record ID given to the incident by the data source. Part of Primary key.

Update - This table contains administrative information about the dates of data entry for each incident. This table contains four columns of data which are:

• Event_ID – a number field which uniquely identifies each pesticide incident. Primary key. Linked to the Event table.

• DateEntered – a date/time field containing the date on which the data was originally entered.

• DateUpdated – a date/time field containing the most recent date of updating or modification of the data for this record.

• Coordinator_ID – a number field identifying the person who most recently inputted data for this record. Linked to the ContactRef table.

This database documentation was compiled by Elise Larsen, AIMS Coordinator.
It was last updated in June 2004.