As the use of the internet for the dissemination and compilation of data becomes more widespread, there are many difficult issues which arise. Among these is the issue of intellectual property and how and why the contributions of various people may or may not be used. The main goal of this project is to provide an interactive environment which encourages biologists, guides, and individuals to take an interest in and contribute to our understanding of the nesting biology of Ecuadorian birds. This page is meant to give contributors of data an overview of how we will manage, organize, disseminate, and use their data. For any additional questions please write to Harold Greeney directly at revmmoss@yahoo.com.

Versión en Español

What happens when I send an email with a nest record in the text to nidosecuador@yahoo.com?

We hope to be able to check the project's nest-record email regularly. In the case of extremely exciting records, in other words ones which deserve followup studies, we will get back to you promptly in order to see if there is a way we can facilitate your study of these nests or coordinate the dispatching of a team to study them. Records will be entered into an excel spreadsheet which will include all of the provided information. This spreadsheet will not be accessible to the general public and will be managed and controlled by NHEMA. In addition, your record (location, species, and contributor's name only) will be added to our online page for each species. (click HERE for a list of species). These data will be available to the general public. You will receive an automated response confirming the receipt of your data and asking for information if you are a first-time contributor.

What happens when I send and email with an attached nest card to nidosecuador@yahoo.com?

As above, you will receive an automated response acknowledging receipt of your data and an invitation to provide contributor information. Your nest card will be downloaded and archived in the NHEMA database of images and data, organized taxonomically. If for whatever reason you need access to your original nest card, please contact us. These nest cards will be used to generate species-specific excel spreadsheets (created and maintained by NHEMA) which compile information from multiple nest cards (ie., data such as nest-height, egg color, clutch size, etc).

What happens when I send an email with an attached image to nidosecuador@yahoo.com?

You will receive an automated reply as described above. We will archive your image, with your name associated with it, as described for nest cards. As soon as possible we will let you know if we can use your photo on the webpage for that species and upload it in a reduced form (so that it cannot be downloaded and printed at high quality). Full credit will be given for all contributed images. Images not uploaded to the web will be stored in the NHEMA database and archived for potential use in future scientific publications. The use of photos will be treated in the same manner as the use of data, and express permission will be asked for before they are used for any purpose other than the general webpage.

Other than the basic information uploaded to the PEN webpage, how will my data be used by NHEMA and others?

Harold Greeney, Rudy Gelis, and Alejandro Solano-Ugalde, as the creators of the PEN webpage take full responsibility for the proper use and management of your contributed data. We will not allow others to access your data without your permission and we will not use your data in any way without your permission each and every time it is used. For a complete description of how your data may or may not be used for the generation of scientific articles, please visit our Publication Policy page.