Sensitive Biodiversity Essentials

Abstract

This primer is intended to offer guidance to curators for assessing the sensitivity of biodiversity data associated with research on animals, insects, plants, fungi, microorganisms, etc. Sensitive data can be defined as any information which “would result in an ‘adverse effect’ on the taxon or attribute in question or to a living individual” if made publicly available (Chapman, 2020). This primer covers how to identify sensitive data, considerations for sharing these data, and points for discussion with data depositors. The objective is to support researchers in balancing the sharing of biodiversity data as a public good and protecting it from misuse.