Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Data

Recommended Citation Formats

Use one of the following formats to cite data retrieved from the network:
General Citation:
Data Portal. 2024. http//:sernecportal.org/index.php. Accessed on March 18.
Usage of occurrence data from specific institutions:
Biodiversity occurrence data published by: <List of Collections> (Accessed through Data Portal, http//:sernecportal.org/index.php, YYYY-MM-DD)

For example:
Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Appalachian State University - I. W. Carpenter, Jr. Herbarium, Auburn University - John D. Freeman Herbarium, and University of South Carolina - A. C. Moore Herbarium (Accessed through Data Portal, http//:sernecportal.org/index.php, 2024-03-18)

Occurrence Records

Images

Images within this website have been generously contributed by their owners to promote education and research. These contributors retain the full copyright for their images. Unless stated otherwise, images are made available under the "Fair Use" provision of the U.S. Copyright Law ( http://www.copyright.gov/). They may be used only for personal or educational use and are NOT available for commercial use unless permission is first obtained from the copyright holder. If any image is used in a non-commercial publication, report, or as a web link, one must credit the photographer as well as the name of the website hosting the image. If you have any doubt or questions regarding the use of an image, contact the author or the site manager.

Notes on Specimen Images

Specimens are used for scientific research and because of skilled preparation and careful use they may last for hundreds of years. Some collections have specimens that were collected over 100 years ago that are no longer occur within the area. By making these specimens available on the web as images, their availability and value improves without an increase in inadvertent damage caused by use. Note that if you are considering making specimens, remember collecting normally requires permission of the landowner and, in the case of rare and endangered plants, additional permits may be required. It is best to coordinate such efforts with a local institution that manages a publically accessable collection.