French Version
The impacts of new developments on biodiversity often result from a lack of knowledge of the location of natural heritage. It is thus considered of general interest to communicate on sites hosting remarkable elements and, more generally, to disseminate biodiversity data so that they can be used in conservation systems, for research and public information. Many regulatory texts are along these lines, and for biodiversity observations (inventories, monitoring, etc.), the SINP defines rules to promote sharing and free access to data.
Sensitive data is, however, a well-defined exception. The concept is defined in the SINP framework, with reference to article L.124-4 of the Environment Code: these data must not be widely disseminated to avoid damaging the elements they concern.
Following the recommendations of the GBIF's international work and based on a survey of French naturalist stakeholders, a working group coordinated by the MNHN proposed in 2014 the criteria that must be met (simultaneously) to define a species as potentially sensitive:
The risk of voluntary infringement. For example, is the species subject to sampling for consumption, pharmacopoeia, collection, horticulture, etc., subject to voluntary destruction, or is its appeal likely to attract many curious or naturalists, to the point of disturbing the habitat or the population?
The intrinsic sensitivity of the species. For example, is the species threatened in the sense of the Red List, or very localized in the region... conversely, the removal of individuals of a widespread species with abundant populations should not be a reason for restricting data dissemination..;
The likely effect of information dissemination. Would the availability of information in the SINP increase the risk of impact? Especially if you already find information in the bibliography and on the internet...
These criteria are associated with contextual aspects that apply to the data. This is the age of the observation and the associated biological status. For example, the precise nesting location of the Black Stork is considered as a sensitive data, whereas a migration observation is not sensitive.
According to the principles of the SINP , sensitive data are shared between SINP platforms at the highest level of accuracy, but their dissemination and communication will be differentiated:
The sensitive location data of the SINP are accessible to public administrations in accordance with the texts that govern them.
The blurring is therefore not done by the producer but by the SINP platform for dissemination purposes. As it concerns rare and/or endangered species, it is indeed essential that the precise information can be used to avoid impacts without causing an increased risk to the species.