This dataset was compiled for the Regional Seabed Monitoring Plan (RSMP) baseline assessment reported in Cooper & Barry (2017). The dataset comprises of 33,198 macrofaunal samples (83% with associated data on sediment particle size composition) covering large parts of the UK continental shelf. Whilst most samples come from existing datasets, also included are 2,500 new samples collected specifically for the purpose of this study. These new samples were collected during 2014-2016 from the main English aggregate dredging regions (Humber, Anglian, Thames, Eastern English Channel and South Coast) and at four individual, isolated extraction sites where the RSMP methodology is also being adopted (e.g. Area 457, North-West dredging region; Area 392, North-West dredging region; Area 376, Bristol Channel dredging region; Goodwin Sands, English Channel).

The Observatoire of Villefranche sur Mer supports the regular observation of large zooplankton from 1898-1917 at a time series station located at the entrancy of the Bay of Villefranche sur Mer.

The Observatoire of Villefranche sur Mer supports the daily sampling of zooplankton since 1966 at a time series station located at the entrancy of the Bay of Villefranche sur Mer. Samples were collected by a vertical tow from bottom to surface (75-0 m), using a Juday-Bogorov net. Juday bogorov net: 380 µm of mesh, opening: 0.50, length: 1.80m

Zooplankton monitoring in the Trieste harbour, North Adriatic Sea (Port Authority), in March 2015.

The Observatoire of Villefranche sur Mer supports the daily sampling of zooplankton since 1966 at a time series station located at the entrancy of the Bay of Villefranche sur Mer. Samples were collected by a horizontal tow at 5 layers, using a Regent net. The sampling site is located at the mouth of the Bay over a bathymetry of 80m and is thus open to the Ligurian Sea. Zooplankton abundance was counted by specialist at OOV under microscopes.

Microzooplankton monitoring in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto, 2013-2014 in the framework of the Italian flagship project RITMARE.

We assembled occurrence records (presence-only) for all four horseshoe crab species in Asia and Eastern America from our own observations, collaborators, scientific networks as well as through publishing a scratchpad site at http://horseshoecrabs.myspecies.info/. For many species, numerous distribution records exist in the literature, and we manually geo-referenced additional occurrence data from these sources.

The POHJE database includes data on benthic macrofauna, covering the Finnish coastal areas as well as the offshore areas of the Baltic Sea. The quantitative data mainly stem from the Finnish national monitoring program and statutory monitoring programs, but also data from surveys and research projects are included. In total the database contain aproximately 100 000 quantitative records including developmental stages, with a time span from 1965 to present. The database is regularly maintained and data is added continuously.

The dataset include Finnish zooplankton monitoring data from the Baltic Sea. The Finnish zooplankton monitoring program started in 1979 and is still ongoing. The sampling has normally taken place in late summer (August), but since 2014 sampling is also carried out in early summer (May-June).The zooplankton monitoring was performed by Finnish Institute of Marine Research until 2008, thereafter the Finnish Environment Institute is responsible for the monitoring program. Samples are taken using a WP-2 net (normally 2550 cm2 opening and 100 um mesh size). The monitoring follows the HELCOM COMBINE guidelines, but subsampling is done using Folsom splitter. The dataset is also accessible through the NOAA COPEPOD database.

An imaging flow cytometer, the Imaging FlowCytobot, was used to investigate phytoplankton abundance and diversity in a fjordal system on the Swedish Skagerrak coast. Samples of 5 mL were collected approximately every 25 minutes. An automated winch was used to move the IFCB to different depths. Chlorophyll fluorescence of individual organisms was used to trigger the camera in the instrument. Several thousand images were collected in each sample. Automated image analyses was used to analyse the images produced to identify and count cells of different plankton taxa.