How we upload data sets
If you already have a collection of species sightings they can be submitted as a data set rather than one at a time using the record a sighting form. A data set needs to be in a structured data format (spread sheet or database) with an identifier for each record and the information about the sightings in individual columns. There are some example templates below. For more information on the data standard used by the BioAtlas the full Darwin Core schema can also be found below. When records are submitted as a data set they will be given an information page describing the data and it’s terms of use as well as displaying the usage via the BioAtlas.
View full Darwin Core schema
How to submit a data set
If you have a collection of species observations, a systematic inventory or a checklist of species they can be submitted to the BioAtlas and/or to GBIF as a data set.
To submit a data set, your data needs to be in a structured format suitable for loading into the BioAtlas. The BioAtlas and GBIF use the Darwin Core data standard.
If your data is in a spreadsheet, create a file with Darwin Core column headings or use one of the templates linked to below. If your data is in a database, you will need to export a data file (e.g. spreadsheet). When your data is in a suitable file format you can test it in GBIFs data validator. The data validator will run a trial upload of your data to test whether it displays correctly and checks for possible errors in the data. If you are happy with how the data validator displays the data, you can submit your data set to the BioAtlas Team along with metadata describing the data.
If you have a large or complex data set please contact the BioAtlas Data Management Team.
Get in touch
Contact Data Management
Download a template
Decide on a license for your data
The BioAtlas offers an integrated set of biological observations to Swedish and International researchers and the community. This requires that each dataset be licensed in a way that ensures that researchers and the community are able to reuse data that you submit.
Our preferred license is the Creative Commons Attribution license, where users of your data are required to attribute their use of your data to you.
We also support the Creative Commons Zero license, by which you can dedicate your data to the Public Domain. This provides for very simple reuse of your data.
If you have commercial concerns about your data the Creative Commons Attribution, Non-commercial license withholds permission for the use of your data for commercial purposes without your providing additional permission.
We do not accept data under any of the Creative Commons licenses that include the “No Derivatives” term, as a key purpose of the BioAtlas is to facilitate the re-use of data and the creation of derivative products.
Read more about our Licenses
How we integrate data
Integrating or aggregating data is the process of bringing multiple, disparate datasets together and combining them into a single data structure. Combining and standardizing the different data sets allows them to be searched as a single unit using common terms. The BioAtlas uses Darwin Core, an internationally developed biodiversity data interchange standard, as it’s core data model and point of standardization.
The current version of the BioAtlas index data using Catalogue of Life as the main taxonomy reference, which is also used by GBIF internationally. We will in the future add the Swedish taxonomic checklist, Dyntaxa, to the taxonomic backbone.
Explore Catalogue of LifeExplore Dyntaxa