The following applies to conversion of non-Biotics programs to Biotics 5.
Complete non-Biotics Element Data exchange
This exchange should include all elements that you track (species and communities). The easiest formats for us are either Excel or Access. At the end of this exchange, Central Biotics will have your most up-to-date element data. If you plan to include community records, please let us know in advance. Key data fields include:
Elcode
Element_subnational_id (if you maintain)
Local element_id (unique identifier in your program
Sname (scientific name you recognize)
S_rank
S_rank_review_date
S_rank_change_date
S_eo_track (Y, No, Partial, Watch)
Data_sensitivity (Yes, No, Conditional)
Distribution comments (especially important for species NOT ranked S#, SH, or SX)
*Distribution “grid” (especially important for species NOT ranked S#, SH, or SX) (see https://help.natureserve.org/biotics/biotics_help.htm#Record_Management/Element_Files/Element_Tracking/ETRACK_Enter_Distribution_Data_for_Species_Elements.htm)
Origin (native, exotic, unknown)
Regularity (regularly-occurring, accidental, unknown)
Distribution confidence (Confident, Reported, Potential, etc.)
Current Presence Absence (Present, Absent, unknown)
Population (animals only) (Year-round, Breeding, Nonbreeding, Transient, Unknown)
State/Provincial Protection Status
Other data fields that program maintains (taxonomic comments, etc.)
*Distribution comments may be sufficient if the grid is not possible.
Create new Local Biotics Instance
Once the element data exchange is completed, a new Local Biotics Instance will be created from Central Biotics. Spatial data will be imported into this local instance.
Import Spatial Data
Provide spatial data according to this Solution. The spatial data will then be imported into the new local Biotics instance.
Publish new Biotics instance
The Development Team works their magic to stand up the new local Biotics website and the IT Team makes it available.