Each dataset hosted by NatureCounts is assigned a level of access by its owner. The level of access determines how that dataset can be viewed and shared by the conservation community. There are six levels of access.
- Level 0 – The data are stored on NatureCounts but cannot be viewed or accessed.
- Level 1 – The metadata are displayed on the website but the data cannot be viewed or accessed.
- Level 2 – The data can be used for some visualizations (ie. maps, graphs) but cannot be directly accessed.
- Level 3 – The data are used for visualizations, and full access can be requested through NatureCounts.
- Level 4 – The data are used for visualizations, provided to existing bioinformatic efforts (eg, GBIF), and can be requested through NatureCounts.
- Level 5 – The data are used for visualizations, provided to existing bioinformatic efforts, and freely available through NatureCounts.
Fundamentally, datasets with access levels 0-2 are not publicly available, datasets with levels 3-4 are available upon request and approval, and datasets with level 5 are freely available. The following graphic summarizes the conditions of each level of access.
For more detailed information about the levels of access, visit the Levels of Data Access page of the NatureCounts website.
Next section: Getting to Know Metadata
