Find a project
A program of
Sign In Sign Up
Find a project
Photo: Gabriel Evans-Cook
Levels of Data Access
NatureCounts aims to share biodiversity data as freely and openly as possible, but we also recognize the need to ensure the security of sensitive species and locations, and the privacy of the data contributors. When hosting data on NatureCounts, contributors select a level of access that determines how their data can be accessed and used.
Level 0
The data is stored and archived in NatureCounts, regular backups are maintained.
The metadata is not visible on the website.
The data cannot be used in data summaries or visualizations (e.g., maps and graphs).
The data cannot be shared with other data repositories (e.g., GBIF).
The data is not accessible through the website or R package.
Level 1
The data is stored and archived in NatureCounts, regular backups are maintained.
The metadata is visible on the website.
The data cannot be used in data summaries or visualizations (e.g., maps and graphs).
The data cannot be shared with other data repositories (e.g., GBIF).
The data is not accessible through the website or R package.
Level 2
The data is stored and archived in NatureCounts, regular backups are maintained.
The metadata is visible on the website.
The data can be used in data summaries or visualizations (e.g., maps).
The data cannot be shared with other data repositories (e.g., GBIF).
The data is not accessible through the website or R package.
Level 3
The data is stored and archived in NatureCounts, regular backups are maintained.
The metadata is visible on the website.
The data can be used in data summaries or visualizations (e.g., maps).
The data cannot be shared with other data repositories (e.g., GBIF).
The data is accessible through the website or R package by request. A data custodian must be identified to review data requests.
Level 4
The data is stored and archived in NatureCounts, regular backups are maintained.
The metadata is visible on the website.
The data can be used in data summaries or visualizations (e.g., maps).
The data owner may opt into sharing data with specific external data repositories (e.g., GBIF).
The data is accessible through the website or R package by request. A data custodian must be identified to review data requests.
Level 5
The data is stored and archived in NatureCounts, regular backups are maintained.
The metadata is visible on the website.
The data can be used in data summaries or visualizations (e.g., maps).
The data owner may opt into sharing data with specific external data repositories (e.g., GBIF).
The data is freely accessible through the website or R package.

Sensitive Records

For sensitive records (e.g., species-at-risk, other sensitive species, sensitive locations) NatureCounts obscures the exact locations in maps and visualizations. In the species maps, these records appear only as 10x10km squares. Precise locations are available only in the raw data, which may be unavailable, available by request, or freely available depending on the dataset’s level of access.