(a) Data and metadata make up (b) datasets. Multiple datasets in one location form a (c) database. (d) Aggregators compile data from many databases and (e) repackagers transform data in a way that makes it more accessible for all audiences (i.e. lay and professional). (f) External users (e.g. scientists, industries, government agencies etc.) access raw data by (g) going through any or all of these data sharing portals. This figure was adapted from Andy Bentley's presentation at the 2017 inaugural iDigBio conference (https://www.idigbio.org/wiki/images/4/4e/Natural_History_data_pipelines_-_Bentley.pdf).

 
  Part of: Blair J, Gwiazdowski R, Borrelli A, Hotchkiss M, Park C, Perrett G, Hanner R (2020) Towards a catalogue of biodiversity databases: An ontological case study. Biodiversity Data Journal 8: e32765. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.8.e32765