Data4Nature: Practical Recommendations Guide for Publishing Primary Biodiversity Data

Within the frame of the Data4Nature Initiative, AFD is requiring project owners and service-providers to publish any primary biodiversity data generated within the framework of funded projects, through the global network of the GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). Primary biodiversity data refers to the observation of fauna or flora situated in time and space. This type of data, also known as taxon occurrence data, provides evidence that a species (or some other taxon) is present in a particular location on a given date.

In addition to the requirements relating to the publication of the biodiversity data set out in the funding agreements and terms of reference, this document provides practical recommendations for consultants and other stakeholders in charge of the publication of the data.

The application of AFD contracting clause relating to the publication of the biodiversity data requires the involvement of at least three or four different players: AFD ; its client, usually a project owner ; one or more consultancy firms specializing in the collection and analysis of biodiversity data ; the GBIF.

As the following figure shows, each of the players has a specific role in the process of publication of the data. The practical implementation of data publishing is generally delegated to the consultant(s) (or other players) in charge of data collection. Those consultants must, as a result, carry out several successive stages of work before proceeding to publish the data as such.