A standardized sampling methodology was carried out in 21 sites along the N and NW Iberian Peninsula. Field surveys were carried out during the low spring tides in April 2011. At each site, three transects perpendicular to the coast were selected. A stratified and systematic sampling procedure was carried out, dividing each transect into four areas: lower intertidal, middle intertidal, upper intertidal and supralittoral. The sampling stations were distributed at equal distances, three in the lower and middle intertidal and two in the upper intertidal and supralittoral. The sampling unit was standardized using a 50 x 50 cm grid.

The second dataset was developed with the objective of the ecological status assessment in marine areas where sewage outfall discharges were projected. For this purpose, several field campaigns were carried out along the north coast of Spain (Avilés, Gijón, Saja-Besaya, Santander, Santoña, Urdaibai and San Sebastián-Pasajes) between 1998 and 2003. In each of these sites transects perpendicular to the coast were established. Then, samples were taken both in the intertidal and shallow subtidal to obtain the biomass of macroalgae taxa. The main characteristic and canopy taxa of the area were selected: Bifurcaria bifurcata, Cystoseira baccata, Cystoseira tamariscifolia, Gelidium corneum, Gelidium spinosum, Laminaria hyperborea, Laminaria ochroleuca, Saccorhiza polyschides and Stypocaulon scoparium.

<p>IHCantabria with the support of the Regional Government of Cantabria has been carried out since 2005 the monitoring of the coastal waters of Cantabria in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. Here is included the abundance and biomass of estuarine fishes obtained from field campaigns in all the estuaries of the region.</p>

<p>This dataset contains the geographic projections of the modeled thermal distribution of intertidal macroalgae. Two variables are included: Habitat suitability maps and its derived binary distribution.-nbsp;</p><p>This is part of an intermediate step of the CTI methodology and these distributions will be used to estimate the -nbsp;<a href="https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/6d617269-6e65-696e-666f-000000008772">Community Temperature Index for the communities</a> product, which includes cover date of intertidal macroalgae along the coast of NW Spain.</p>

<p>Ocean warming is expected to drive quick shifts in marine species distributions modifying coastal communities. Previous research has shown how the southern Bay of Biscay is particularly affected and the canopy-forming subtidal and intertidal macroalgal assemblages are expected to be replaced by turf-forming Mediterranean-like communities with warmer affinities by the end of the century. The effect of temperature on macroalgal communities could be assessed using thermal metrics that can target temperature effects alone. An example is the Community Temperature Index (CTI) which is an abundance-weighted mean of the species’ optimal temperature. It has been previously used to understand the thermal preferences of different organisms such us birds, fish or invertebrates.</p>

<p>The number of marine seaweeds outside their natural boundaries has increased in the last decades generating impacts on biodiversity and economy. This makes the development of management tools necessary, where species distribution models (SDMs) play a crucial role. SDMs can help in the early detection of invasions and predict the extent of the potential spread. However, modelling non-native marine species distributions is still challenging in terms of model building, evaluation and selection. This product aims to predict the European distribution of four widespread introduced seaweed species (Asparagopsis armata, Caulerpa Taxifolia, Sargassum muticum and Undaria pinnatifida) selecting the best model building process.</p>

Key species of estuarine habitats, which have been identified through the analysis of the phytosociological communities that are developed within Natura 2000 sites in Cantabria.

IHCantabria with the support of the Regional Government of Cantabria has been carried out since 2005 the monitoring of the coastal waters of Cantabria in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. Here is included the abundance of phytoplankton obtained from field campaigns in the coast and identified in the laboratory.

IHCantabria with the support of the Regional Government of Cantabria has been carried out since 2005 the monitoring of the coastal waters of Cantabria in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. Here is included the abundance and biomass of soft bottoms invertebrates obtained from field campaigns in the coast and the mouth of the two biggest estuaries.