Share Data
Share data
The benefits of sharing data
In these pages you will find introductory information on what data you can share, the benefits of doing so and details of where to go next.
In a nutshell, the NBN Gateway has been developed as an online tool to help share information about wildlife in the UK. The site is managed by the National Biodiversity Network Trust.
What can be shared through the NBN Gateway?
The NBN Gateway offers a safe but flexible way for groups and organisations to share the wildlife information they hold more widely. Information held on the Gateway can be made available through the website (data.nbn.org.uk) and associated web-services.
Wildlife information is supplied and administered within individual datasets on the NBN Gateway. The following three types of dataset are supported by the NBN Gateway to varying degrees:
Species Datasets
Species datasets are usually a range of species observation records represented by single points of geographic location at a minimum 10km square level of precision. A good level of advice is available to help you prepare and share species datasets through the Gateway. For more information and help with Species Datasets see our Guide to preparing species datasets.
Geographic datasets
Geographic datasets are usually digitised site and administration boundaries, for example Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The process of preparing and submitting geographic datasets is not well defined. Preparing and loading geographic datasets can be temperamental. Technical advice on preparing geographic datasets for the Gateway can be provided on a case-by-case basis.
Habitat datasets
Habitat datasets have seen the most recent development work on the NBN Gateway. The Interactive Mapping Tool is an excellent way of exploring habitat data and development will continue over the coming months.
Who can share data through the NBN?
The NBN Gateway is not a data management or archive service (though the Trust has plenty of support and guidance material on data management and archiving) and because of this we accept datasets from groups and organisations that are in a position to manage and maintain their data. We do not accept data from individuals. If you would like to see your personal wildlife records on the NBN Gateway we encourage you to pass your data to a Local Record Centre or a Recording Scheme, Society or Group. These groups are well placed to look after your data and make them available through the NBN Gateway.