Policy for Deposition and Sharing of Paper-Associated Datasets of Arid Land Geography

To guarantee the availability and verifiability of paper-associated datasets, according to the Measures for the Administration of Scientific Data issued by the State Council and the Measures for the Administration and Open Sharing of Scientific Data (Trial) issued by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this journal encourages authors to deposit and share paper-associated datasets in public data repositories after their papers are accepted.

I. Types and Requirements of Datasets

Authors are encouraged to submit datasets that directly support the conclusions of their papers; datasets generated for paper-related research and reflected in the papers, or datasets reused and analysed for paper-related research are also encouraged for submission. Raw, unprocessed experimental or observational datasets generated for paper-related research but not reflected in the papers may be submitted voluntarily. Datasets involving research ethics, sensitive information, confidential information, or datasets whose sharing will damage the legitimate rights and interests of third parties are not suitable for submission. For datasets unsuitable for submission that can be submitted after irreversible de-classification and de-sensitisation or for other legitimate and reasonable reasons, data authors may submit them by providing de-classification and de-sensitisation statements or other supporting documents.

II. Data Standards and Formats

This journal does not restrict the formats of deposited paper-associated datasets. From the perspective of data reusability and long-term access, authors are recommended to give priority to the format list as follows:

File Type	Recommended Formats
Plain-text files	Unicode text(.txt)
Markup-language files	XML(.xml)、HTML(.html)、Related files: .css, .xslt, .js, .es
Text documents	PDF/A(.pdf)
RDF	RDF/XML (.rdf)、Trig (.trig)、Turtle (.ttl)、NTriple (.nt)、JSON-LD
Electronic spreadsheets	CSV(.csv)、ODS(.ods)
Database files	SQL(.sql)、SIARD (.siard)、DB tables (.csv)
Statistical data	SPSS Portable (.por)、STATA (.dta)、DDI (.xml)、Data and setup (.csv +.txt)、R
Raster images	JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg)、TIFF (.tif, .tiff)、PNG (.png)、JPEG 2000 (.jp2)、DICOM (.dcm)
Vector images	SVG (.svg)
Audio files	BWF (.bwf)、MXF (.mxf)、Matroska (.mka)、FLAC (.flac)

III. Data Storage Modes

1. Data Repository

Paper-associated datasets shall be deposited and shared in the data repository: Science Data Bank (ScienceDB; https://www.scidb.cn/).

2. Data Identifiers

Datasets deposited and published in the data repository will obtain unique data identifiers (e.g. CSTR, DOI), which are used to query and access relevant datasets. Where paper manuscripts need to present information such as content and location of associated datasets, authors shall place the web links of unique data identifiers in the text (examples: https://cstr.cn/31253.11.sciencedb.01092, https://doi.org/10.11922/sciencedb.01092).

IV. Modes of Data Sharing

1. Direct Sharing

Once the paper-associated datasets submitted by authors pass review, they will be released immediately, namely metadata and data files are open for public access and acquisition.

2. Conditional Sharing

Access after data protection period: Authors may set a protection period for submitted paper-associated datasets. Within the protection period, the public can only access dataset metadata but cannot download data files. After the protection period expires, datasets will automatically switch to open-access status, and the public can obtain both metadata and data files.

Access upon application: Where submitted paper-associated datasets are not suitable for open sharing for special reasons, data users shall submit access applications to authors and obtain authors’ authorisation or consent before acquiring data files. For datasets unsuitable for open sharing, authors shall provide the journal with written explanations and relevant supporting documents.

V. Data Rights and Interests Management

1. Dataset Submission

Authors shall confirm that they have the right to submit datasets. Intellectual-property rights and other relevant rights and interests of datasets shall be enjoyed by original right-holders and will not be transferred to this journal.

2. Data Usage

For better dissemination and sharing of paper-associated datasets, this journal recommends authors adopt the CC-BY-NC-ND?4.0 licence agreement.

VI. Dataset Deposition Procedures

1. Platform registration and login (https://www.scidb.cn/). Authors may register and log in with an account of the data repository platform, or log in via third-party user authentication supported by the repository.

2. Dataset submission and revision. Create a new dataset entry via the data-submission entry, upon which the dataset will be assigned unique identifiers (CSTR and DOI) as well as a private access link. Authors shall fill in metadata information, upload data files and select open-sharing options in this process. After submission, if the data reviewer provides revision comments, authors shall revise the dataset until it passes review.