Data sharing terms

Authors: Zachary Amir (TERN), Jenna Wraith (QCIF), Matthew Scott Luskin (UQ)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. Data licensing
• 2. Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs)
• 3. Data sharing options
  • Open data (preferred)
  • Partial data sharing (discouraged)
  • Closed data (by agreement only)
• 4. Data curation & usage
• 5. Sensitive data handling
• 6. Embargo periods
• 7. Compliance & legal considerations
• 8. Agreement acceptance

1. Data licensing

All species detections and metadata hosted in the WildObs camera trap database (CamDB) must be covered by a permissive license to align with FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability). Creative Commons (CC) licenses are preferred, but flexibility is allowed where necessary. WildObs offers three data-sharing options - Open, Partial, and Closed. Partial sharing (of metadata only, no species detections) is discouraged because it does not promote transparency and collaborative research. Closed data sharing is only available for paid users. An immediate embargo period of up to 24 months is available for those who need temporary data restrictions, which can be extended as needed. 

2. Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs)

Each dataset hosted in the CamDB must have a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) or another Persistent Identifier (PID). DOIs provide a stable citation reference, supporting FAIR principles.  

• Open data: DOIs assigned via an external hosting solution. 
• Partial data: Internal PIDs assigned within WildObs. Upon embargo expiration, the data will be assigned a DOI. 
• Closed data: Internal PIDs assigned within WildObs.

3. Data sharing options

WildObs recognises the importance of respecting data provider preferences while promoting open data access. Data ownership remains with the provider. For more information on the content of data package files, visit WildObs data standards. Sharing options include: 

Open data (preferred)

• Metadata, images, and species detections are openly available via a public repository with a DOI. 
  • All files of the Camtrap DP dataset package, along with WildObs-specific covariates.csv and additional datapackage.json fields can be queried or downloaded from WildObs or other partner platforms.
• Fully adheres to FAIR principles. 
• Unlimited access to the provider. 
• License: CC-BY (attribution required). 
• Enables unrestricted use for conservation and scientific advancements. 
• Metadata, images, and species detections will be made available to Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) as occurrence records and tagged images for the Tagged Image Repository.

Partial data sharing (discouraged)

• The metadata is public (e.g., spatial-temporal extent of camera deployments, contact details) and visible via the WildObs online data visualisation tool.
  
  • Only the datapackage.json file of the Camtrap DP dataset package is shared publically on WildObs or with partner platforms.
  • Data provider can be contacted by interested parties to request data be shared directly for research purposes. 
• Metadata, images, and species detections are retained internally at WildObs with unlimited access to the provider.
• Metadata and species detections can be shared with government and biodiversity metric authorities (e.g., the Threatened Species Index).
• Species detections are not publicly accessible.  
• Images are made available for the Tagged Image Repository but stripped of metadata required to use them for other purposes.  
• License: CC-BY (attribution required).
• A maximum embargo period of 24 months applies. 
• Intended for cases where provenance retention (e.g., Indigenous data sovereignty) is necessary. 
• The provider can specify if there is partial species detection data that may be contributed to ALA in some form, depending on agreements. An example could be sharing presence-only data, but not the full detection histories. 

Closed data (by agreement only)

• WildObs are open to supporting projects that require closed data in exchange for support of the WildObs project, financial or otherwise. 
• Metadata, images, and species detections remain private, with unlimited access to the provider. 
• Metadata, images, and species detections are only retained internally at WildObs and only shared with government and biodiversity metric authorities (e.g., the Threatened Species Index), not the public.
• There is no public access for metadata, images, or species detections.
• Institutional Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) can be developed to transition data to open or partial sharing. 
• Internal PIDs only; no DOI assignment. 
• Closed data will not be provided to ALA.

4. Data curation & usage

WildObs retains curation rights, including: 

• Standardising metadata, images and species detections for interoperability. 
• Conducting quality control and refining detection records. 
• Using shared data to train AI models and analytical workflows. 
• Facilitating data discoverability through external repositories (where applicable). 
• Wrangling and modifying datasets where required to ensure quality and usability. 
• Assisting with licensing selection to ensure alignment with best practices. 

5. Sensitive data handling

When sharing data publicly, WildObs will adhere to ALA’s clear and conservative policy of obfuscating locations for threatened species (see Working with threatened, migratory and sensitive species information in the ALA). For other uses of sensitive location data, such as the presence of threatened species, the provider can provide their preferences. This may include coordinate obfuscation or restrictions on site identifiers before external sharing. Data sensitivity classifications will be determined in consultation with data providers.  

6. Embargo periods

Embargo periods up to 24 months can accommodate data provider concerns, and these can be extended as needed. Metadata will still be discoverable, but not species detections.  After the embargo expiration, the data will transition to public unless there are alternative requests. 

7. Compliance & legal considerations

This agreement aligns with policies from ALA, EcoCommons, EcoSounds, TERN, and the Threatened Species Index. Data providers must ensure compliance with relevant legal, ethical, and institutional policies. Intellectual property ownership of datasets remains under review and may require additional agreements. 

8. Agreement acceptance

By contributing data to WildObs, the provider agrees to the outlined terms and selected data-sharing level. Additional agreements (MoUs) may be required for closed data use. WildObs reserves the right to curate and process data to enhance accessibility and usability.  

Please refer to the WildObs Glossary for definition of terms.