Species and ecosystem Subnational data developed by our provincial and territorial Conservation Data Centres (CDCs) is aggregated and reconciled by NatureServe and NatureServe Canada and informs the development of our National and Global data. This multi-jurisdiction dataset is kept current, accurate and standardized throughout the NatureServe Network via data exchanges between the Central Biotics database and the CDC databases.
A key mandate of CDCs and NatureServe Canada is to distribute our biodiversity data to decision-makers, researchers and the public. The NatureServe Explorer (non-spatial data) and Explorer Pro (spatial data) platforms were built to enable self-serve, no cost access to the biodiversity data managed by NatureServe Canada and our CDCs. However, if you require precise spatial data that may not be available for some species on Explorer Pro (e.g., species susceptible to poaching), please contact the relevant CDC.
Please refer to the Data Requests and Data Sharing sections below for instructions on submitting data requests or submitting data to the CDCs and NatureServe Canada.
Data Requests
To request biodiversity data from one of NatureServe Canada’s provincial or territorial CDCs please contact the relevant CDC using the information provided on the Who We Are webpage.
To request data from multiple provinces or territories, contact NatureServe Canada and we will work with you and the relevant CDCs to standardize and facilitate your request.
Biotics Data Fields
The NatureServe Network has developed a spatial and tabular data management system called Biotics.
Data exchanges between CDC instances of Biotics and the NatureServe Central Biotics instance take place regularly in order to ensure that information such as species lists, taxonomy and status assesments at the Subnational, National and Global levels are standardized across our members' databases.
When you submit a data request to NatureServe Canada, or to a CDC who has adopted Biotics, it will be helpful for you to understand the Biotics data fields. This will ensure that the data you request/receive will include the fields that you require. With this in mind, NatureServe Canada has developed the Biotics Data Dictionary.
Before submitting your request to a CDC or to NatureServe Canada we encourage you to review the dictionnary and to contact NatureServe Canada if you have any questions.
Data Sharing
We encourage all biodiversity data holders to share their species and ecosystem data to NatureServe Canada and our network of CDCs. By doing so you will contribute to Canada’s publicly managed knowledge base regarding the location and status of Canada’s rare and threatened biodiversity, thus ensuring that your biodiversity information will inform biodiversity science and conservation decision-making.
NatureServe Canada works with its member CDCs to ensure that our biodiversity data is managed and distributed responsibly, according to provincial, territorial and federal data security policies and procedures.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss developing a national data license or data sharing agreement to enable the two-way flow of biodiversity information between your organization and the NatureServe Canada Network of CDCs.