A vertical coordinate system defines the origin for height or depth values. Like a horizontal coordinate system, most of the information in a vertical coordinate system is not needed unless you want to display or combine a dataset with other data that uses a different vertical coordinate system.
Perhaps the most important part of a vertical coordinate system is its unit of measure. The unit of measure is always linear (e.g., international feet or meters). Another important part is whether the z values represent heights (elevations) or depths. For each type, the z-axis direction is positive "up" or "down", respectively.
One z value is shown for the height-based mean sea level system. Any point that falls below the mean sea level line but is referenced to it will have a negative z value. The mean low water system has two z values associated with it. Because the mean low water system is depth-based, the z values are positive. Any point that falls above the mean low water line but is referenced to it will have a negative z value.