Select benthic invertebrate and sediment data collected between 1969 and 2023 for an Ecological Risk-Based Approach to Facilitate Licensing Offshore Wind Development

Published by:
Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
Last updated:
09 December 2025
Topic:
Not added
Licence:
None

Summary

The OneBenthic dataset contains records of benthic invertebrate assemblages and associated sediment particle size analyses (PSA) collected between 1969 and 2023 across the UK continental shelf and wider North Sea. It brings together harmonised information on macrofaunal abundance, biomass, and sediment composition derived from more than 50,000 seabed grab and core samples.

For this study, a quality-controlled subset of 18,348 samples was used to generate spatial models of three ecological risk elements: benthic sensitivity (based on biological traits), biodiversity, and assemblage rarity. The dataset supports the development of ecological risk maps and an online decision-support tool to inform offshore wind farm licensing and marine spatial planning.

Users should note that the dataset represents sedimentary habitats sampled by grabs and cores; results may not accurately describe rocky or hard-substrate environments and are not intended for navigational use.

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Data links

Link to the data Format File added Data preview
Cefas Data Portal N/A 09 December 2025 Not available

Additional information

View additional metadata
Added to data.gov.uk
2025-12-02
Access contraints
Not specified
Harvest GUID
CEFASc86ea621-2dea-4679-88d3-8963ae7e5c94
Extent
Latitude: 61.00° to °
Longitude: -14.00° to 12.00°
Spatial reference system
Dataset reference date
2025-10-14 (publication)
2025-12-02 (revision)
2025-09-01 (creation)
Frequency of update
unknown
Responsible party
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS) (originator, custodian, distributor, owner); Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (owner); The Crown Estate (owner); British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) (owner)
ISO 19139 resource type
dataset
Metadata language
eng
Source Metadata
XML
HTML

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