What was removed from endorsement by the FGDC in 2014?

The correct response regarding what was removed from endorsement by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) in 2014 is the Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS).

In the context of geographic information systems, SDTS was designed as a standard to facilitate the transfer of spatial data between different systems and applications. However, over time, it became less relevant due to advancements in technology and the development of more robust data standards that provide greater flexibility and functionality for spatial data handling.

The decision to remove SDTS from endorsement indicates an acknowledgment by the FGDC that other standards may be more effective or widely adopted for geospatial data transfer as the field of GIS evolves. This shift suggests a movement towards using more contemporary standards that better address the needs of users and developers within the GIS community, such as GML (Geography Markup Language) and others that continue to be endorsed.

In contrast, the other options have maintained a different status in the GIS field. For example, SPOT refers to a satellite imagery system, JPEG is a widely used image compression format, and GML continues to be recognized as a valuable XML-based standard for representing geographic features. Thus, the removal of SDTS signifies a strategic decision to adapt to the needs of the evolving GIS