Abundance and biomass of meiobenthos in the Black Sea during Mare Nigrum cruise S-RO2

Dataset containing meiobenthos data for samples collected during the September 2008 Sesame Cruise in the North-West Black Sea on board of the Romanian R/V Mare Nigrum. Meiobenthos samples were collected in 5 stations, using a multicorer MARK II-400. The dataset includes 5 samples analysed for meiobenthos species composition, abundance and biomass. The entire washed sample was analyzed under the binocular stereomicroscope. Meiobenthic species were identified and enumerated; some meiobenthic species were identified and enumerated only at higher taxonomic level. Taxonomic identification was done at GEOECOMAR.

Abundance of mesozooplankton from the S-IT4 cruise in the Western Mediterranean Sea in March and April 2008

The "SESAME_IT4_ZooAbundance_0-50-100m_SZN" dataset contains data of mesozooplankton species composition and abundance (ind./m**3) from samples collected in the Western Mediterranean in the early spring of 2008 (20 March-5 April) during the SESAME-WP2 cruise IT4. Samples were collected by vertical tows with a closing WP2 net (56 cm diameter, 200 µm mesh size) in the following depth layers: 100-200 m, 50-100 m, 0-50 m. Sampling was always performed in light hours. A flowmeter was applied to the mouth of the net, however, due to its malfunctioning, the volume of filtered seawater was calculated by multiplying the the area by the height of the sampled layer from winch readings. After collection, each sample was split in two halves (1/2) after careful mixing with graduated beakers. Half sample was immediately fixed and preserved in a formaldehyde-seawater solution (4% final concentration) for species composition and abundance. The other half sample was kept fresh for biomass measurements (data already submitted to SESAME database in different files). Here, only the zooplankton abundance of samples in the upper layers 0-50 m and 50-100 m are presented. The abundance data of the samples in the layer 50-100 m will be submitted later in a separate file. The volume of filtered seawater was estimated by multiplying the the area by the height of the sampled layer from winch readings. Identification and counts of specimens were performed on aliquots (1/20-1/5) of the fixed sample or on the total sample (half of the original sample) by using a graduate large-bore pipette. Copepods were identified to the species level and separated into females, males and juveniles (copepodites). All other taxa were identified at the species level when possible, or at higher taxonomic levels. Taxonomic identification was done according to the most relevant and updated taxonomic literature. Total mesozooplankton abundance was computed as sum of all specific abundances determined as explained above.

Abundance and biomass of zooplankton from the Romanian littoral collected in May, July and September 1998

The SHELF 1998 dataset contains zooplankton data collected in May, July and September 19978 allong 5 transect in front of the Romanian littoral. Zooplankton sampling was undertaken using a Juday closing net in the 0-10, 10-25, and 25-50m layer (depending also on the water masses). The dataset includes samples analysed for mesozooplankton species composition and abundance. Sampling volume was estimated by multiplying the mouth area with the wire length. Taxon-specific mesozooplankton abundance was count under microscope. Total abundance is the sum of the counted individuals. Total biomass Fodder, Rotifera , Ctenophora and Noctiluca was estimated using a tabel with wet weight for each species an stage.

Abundance and biomass of zooplankton collected monthly from January 1979 to december 1979 in front of Constanta city, Black Sea

The Est Constanta 1979 dataset contains zooplankton data collected monthly from January 1979 to december 1979 allong a 5 station transect in front of the city Constanta (44°10'N, 28°41.5'E - EC1; 44°10'N, 28°47'E - EC2; 44°10'N, 28°54'E - EC3; 44°10'N, 29°08'E - EC4; 44°10'N, 29°22'E - EC5). Zooplankton sampling was undertaken at 5 stations where samples were collected using a Juday closing net in the 0-10, 10-25, 25-50m layer (depending also on the water masses). The dataset includes samples analysed for mesozooplankton species composition and abundance. Sampling volume was estimated by multiplying the mouth area with the wire length. Taxon-specific mesozooplankton abundance was count under microscope. Total abundance is the sum of the counted individuals. Total biomass Fodder, Rotifera , Ctenophora and Noctiluca was estimated using a tabel with wet weight for each species an stage.

Abundance and biomass of zooplankton from the Romanian littoral collected in April, June and September 1999

The SHELF 1999 dataset contains zooplankton data collected in April, June and September 1999 allong 5 transect in front of the Romanian littoral. Zooplankton sampling was undertaken using a Juday closing net in the 0-10, 10-25, and 25-50m layer (depending also on the water masses). The dataset includes samples analysed for mesozooplankton species composition and abundance. Sampling volume was estimated by multiplying the mouth area with the wire length. Taxon-specific mesozooplankton abundance was count under microscope. Total abundance is the sum of the counted individuals. Total biomass Fodder, Rotifera , Ctenophora and Noctiluca was estimated using a tabel with wet weight for each species an stage.

Effects of reduced and business-as-usual CO2 emission scenarios on the algal territories of the damselfish Pomacentrus wardi (Pomacentridae)

Turf algae are a very important component of coral reefs, featuring high growth and turnover rates, whilst covering large areas of substrate. As food for many organisms, turf algae have an important role in the ecosystem. Farming damselfish can modify the species composition and productivity of such algal assemblages, while defending them against intruders. Like all organisms however, turf algae and damselfishes have the potential to be affected by future changes in seawater (SW) temperature and pCO2. In this study, algal assemblages, in the presence and absence of farming Pomacentrus wardi were exposed to two combinations of SW temperature and pCO2 levels projected for the austral spring of 2100 (the B1 "reduced" and the A1FI "business-as-usual" CO2 emission scenarios) at Heron Island (GBR, Australia). These assemblages were dominated by the presence of red algae and non-epiphytic cyanobacteria, i.e. cyanobacteria that grow attached to the substrate rather than on filamentous algae. The endpoint algal composition was mostly controlled by the presence/absence of farming damselfish, despite a large variability found between the algal assemblages of individual fish. Different scenarios appeared to be responsible for a mild, species specific change in community composition, observable in some brown and green algae, but only in the absence of farming fish. Farming fish appeared unaffected by the conditions to which they were exposed. Algal biomass reductions were found under "reduced" CO2 emission, but not "business-as-usual" scenarios. This suggests that action taken to limit CO2 emissions may, if the majority of algae behave similarly across all seasons, reduce the potential for phase shifts that lead to algal dominated communities. At the same time the availability of food resources to damselfish and other herbivores would be smaller under "reduced" emission scenarios.

Benthic and substrate cover data derived from a time series of photo-transect surveys for the Eastern Banks, Moreton Bay Australia, 2004-2015

This paper describes seagrass species and percentage cover point-based field data sets derived from georeferenced photo transects. Annually or biannually over a ten year period (2004-2015) data sets were collected using 30-50 transects, 500-800 m in length distributed across a 142 km**2 shallow, clear water seagrass habitat, the Eastern Banks, Moreton Bay, Australia. Each of the eight data sets include seagrass property information derived from approximately 3000 georeferenced, downward looking photographs captured at 2-4 m intervals along the transects. Photographs were manually interpreted to estimate seagrass species composition and percentage cover (Coral Point Count excel; CPCe). Understanding seagrass biology, ecology and dynamics for scientific and management purposes requires point-based data on species composition and cover. This data set, and the methods used to derive it are a globally unique example for seagrass ecological applications. It provides the basis for multiple further studies at this site, regional to global comparative studies, and, for the design of similar monitoring programs elsewhere.

Abundance and biomass of meiobenthos in the Black Sea during Mare Nigrum cruise S-RO1

Dataset containing meiobenthos data for samples collected during the September 2008 Sesame Cruise in the North-West Black Sea on board of the Romanian R/V Mare Nigrum. Meiobenthos samples were collected in 5 stations, using a multicorer MARK II-400. The dataset includes 5 samples analysed for meiobenthos species composition, abundance and biomass. The entire washed sample was analyzed under the binocular stereomicroscope. Meiobenthic species were identified and enumerated; some meiobenthic species were identified and enumerated only at higher taxonomic level. Taxonomic identification was done at GEOECOMAR.

Abundance of microplankton in the Turkish Strait during Bilim 2 cruise in April 2008

The HCMR_SES_UNLUATA_CRUISES_TURKISH_STRAITS_CHLA & PP dataset was obtained on samples taken from 5 stations in the Dardanelles Straits, Marmara Sea and Bosporus Straits. These experiments were set up according to DoW of SESAME project. Microplankton species composition analysis was performed according to the Utermöhl's (1958) inverted microscope method. Samples for the identification and enumeration of larger phytoplankton cells (>5?m), were preserved in alkaline Lugol's solution.

Abundance of mesozooplankton from the S-IT3 cruise in the Sicily Channel in March 2008

The "SESAME_IT3_ZooAbundance_0-50-100m_SZN" dataset contains data of mesozooplankton species composition and abundance (ind. m-3) from samples collected in the Sicily Channel in the early spring of 2008 (17,18 March) during the SESAME-WP2 cruise IT3. Samples were collected by vertical tows with a closing WP2 net (56 cm diameter, 200 µm mesh size) in the following depth layers: 100-200 m, 50-100 m, 0-50 m. Sampling was always performed in light hours with the exception of station S-IT3-03 where zooplankton were collected in dark hours. A flowmeter was applied to the mouth of the net, however, due to its malfunctioning, the volume of filtered seawater was calculated by multiplying the the area by the height of the sampled layer from winch readings. After collection, each sample was split in two halves (1/2) after careful mixing with graduated beakers. Half sample was immediately fixed and preserved in a formaldehyde-seawater solution (4% final concentration) for species composition and abundance. The other half sample was kept fresh for biomass measurements (data already submitted to SESAME database in different files).Here, only the zooplankton abundance of samples in the upper layers 0-50 m and 50-100 m are presented. The abundance data of the samples in the layer 50-100 m will be submitted later in a separate file. The volume of filtered seawater was estimated by multiplying the the area by the height of the sampled layer from winch readings. Identification and counts of specimens were performed on aliquots (1/20-1/5) of the fixed sample or on the total sample (half of the original sample) by using a graduate large-bore pipette. Copepods were identified to the species level and separated into females, males and juveniles (copepodites). All other taxa were identified at the species level when possible, or at higher taxonomic levels. Taxonomic identification was done according to the most relevant and updated taxonomic literature. Total mesozooplankton abundance was computed as sum of all specific abundances determined as explained above.