Share DNA-derived occurrence records

To share your DNA-derived occurrence records via a data resource on the NBN Atlas we require two files:

1. The metadata for your dataset
2. The DNA-derived species occurrence records

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. Metadata
• 2. Species occurrence records
  • Data licence and rightsholder
  • Species Dictionary (UK Species Inventory)
  • Verification status terms
  • Darwin Core Archives
  • NBN Data Exchange format
  • Data processing schedule

1. Metadata

Metadata describes who collected it, why it was collected, how it can be used, and the methods used to collect it. It is important as it provides the information a user needs to assess whether the data are fit for their intended use. This metadata is available to all NBN Atlas users when they view the data resource page.

NBN Atlas Data Resource Metadata Form 2026-09-02 version.docx - attached to this guide

NOTE: Please use this form to specify if records in the data resource should have a set public resolution applied. This means that records can be supplied to us at capture-resolution but generalised to a set public resolution (either 1, 2, 5 or 10 km) for NBN Atlas users. Please see Public resolution data resources for further information.

2. Species occurrence records

Occurrence records on the NBN Atlas follow the Darwin Core data standard (DwC).

We have a template for providing DNA derived occurrence records in Darwin Core format.

• NBN-AtlasDNAUploadTemplate - attached to this guide 
• Guidance for the DNA-derived occurrence records upload template

There are additional Darwin Core terms which can be included, please see the Darwin Core Quick Reference Guide for these fields. Please email data@nbnatlas.org if you have any questions regarding submitting records or the use of Darwin Core terms.

Data licence and rightsholder

All records require a data licence and a rightsholder. Details of the available licences can be found on the data licence page. The rightsholder is the person or organisation that holds the rights over the record. Generally it is either the recorder or the organisation that they represent.

Species Dictionary (UK Species Inventory)

The NBN Atlas uses the UK Species Inventory (UKSI) for the species dictionary. Please supply a Taxon Version Key (TVK) for each record in the taxonID field. The TVK can be for either the scientific or the common name. To match a species name to a TVK you can use the online UKSI TVK matching tool (created by the Natural History Museum, London) or please email data@nbnatlas.org for help with matching TVKs.

Verification status terms

Records submitted to the NBN Atlas require the identification verification status of the record. Verification status is based on the iRecord verification scheme, you can read more about our full verification status terms.

Darwin Core Archives

Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A) is a biodiversity informatics data standard that makes use of the Darwin Core terms to produce a single, self-contained dataset for species occurrence or taxonomic data. A DwC-A is a zip file containing a file describing the data (metadata) and a second file containing the data.

If a data partner is able to create a DwC-A, then this is the ideal way to send data to the NBN Atlas, however, we appreciate that not all of our data partners have the technical resource to be able to create these documents.

GBIF provides guidance and validators for DwC-A and a useful how to guide.

NBN Data Exchange format

We continue to accept records in the old NBN Data Exchange format. There may be a delay in the records being ready for upload, depending on the amount of formatting required.

Data processing schedule

We process datasets on a monthly schedule usually on the first Monday of each month. There is a 1-week period between the submission deadline and the start of data processing, to allow time for records to be formatted and uploaded. Records will usually be visible a week after data processing has commenced.