Become a Contributor to TickMap

Download the collection form for contributing collection records to TickMap. Descriptions of the data fields are present as comments in the spreadsheet; minimum requirement are fields in bold. Contributors can preview their records via the Mapper sheet in the TickMap collection form. Information regarding the history of a dataset that can be posted on TickMap is encouraged. General advice regarding georeferencing of specimen collection records can be found here.

Note that the collection form is designed as an aid for people who would like help to organize their data. But you can send us your data (or a subsample) to us in any format, and we will convert it to our format, and send it back for comments/edits prior to going loading it. We realize that many people may not be ready to share all the details of new collection records until they have had a chance to publish. There are several solutions. The most obvious is to delay contributing the data to TickMap. A disadvantage of this is that you will delay being able to point people to TickMap to show off your data, and you will not be able to specify in your publication, the Global Unique Identifiers (GUIDs) that TickMap generates for each data record (a bit like a GenBank number). An alternative is to contribute part of the data, for example, minus the species names, or minus everything except the coordinates and contact details. This process of holding back data can be done by yourselves or by us – whatever you like. TickMap even has a field called InformationWithheld that is designed to flag data that is being held back for publication.

Data sharing agreements

TickMap data sharing should take place within a framework of due attribution. Therefore, when registering their services with TickMap, the data providers agree as follows:

1. Biodiversity data accessible via TickMap are openly and universally available to all users within the framework of the TickMap Data Use Agreement and with the terms and conditions that the data provider has identified in its metadata.
2. TickMap does not assert any intellectual property rights in the data that is provided by contributors for TickMap.
3. The data provider warrants that they have made the necessary agreements with the original owners of the data that it can make the data available through TickMap.
4. The data provider makes reasonable efforts to ensure that the data they serve are accurate.
5. Responsibility regarding the restriction of access to sensitive data resides with the data provider.
6. The data provider includes stable and unique identifiers in their data so that the owner of the data is known and for other necessary purposes.
7. TickMap may cache a copy and serve full or partial data further to other users together with the terms and conditions for use set by the data provider. Queries of such data through TickMap are reported to the data provider.
8. Data providers are endorsed by a TickMap Participant, if applicable, before their metadata is made available by TickMap.
9. TickMap is not liable or responsible, nor are its managers, employees or contractors, for the data contents or their use; or for any loss, damage, claim, cost or expense however it may arise, from an inability to use TickMap.
10. TickMap may forward a copy of data to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, unless data provider requests otherwise.

Some TickMap Data Fields