The nationwide ‘ZNIEFF’ inventory in France: a free dataset of more than one million synthesised species data in zones of high ecological value

In France, a ‘natural zone of ecological, faunistic or floristic value’ (Zone Naturelle d'Intérêt Écologique, Faunistique et Floristique - ZNIEFF) is a natural area regionally known for its remarkable ecological characteristics. The ZNIEFF inventory is a naturalist and scientific survey program launched in 1982 by the Ecology Ministry, with support from the French National Museum of Natural History (MNHN). This paper describes the ZNIEFF national dataset, which comprises 1 013 25 synthesised data for various animal (38%), vegetal (59%) and fungus (2%) species in terrestrial and marine zones (the last download took place on 26 May 2020). A total of 19 842 sites throughout continental France as well as in the overseas departments and territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, La Réunion, French Guiana, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon) are included in the ZNIEFF dataset (last download: 26 May 2020). This dataset is now available in open access. All data were collected by skilled naturalists using professional protocols over almost 40 years. They consist mainly of observations of rare, threatened or endemic species, all validated by regional experts. Data is updated twice a year after national validation. Some of the observed of species, the so-called ‘trigger species’ or ‘determinant’ species, are of central interest for a site to be considered a ZNIEFF (zone of high ecological value). This concerns more than 35 000 taxa, mainly angiosperms, insects, fungi, birds and fish.