This dataset contains records of marine epifaunal communities collected using
2 metre (m) beam trawl surveys between 1987 and 2023 from across the United
Kingdom (UK) continental shelf and the wider North Sea. The dataset takes the
form of trawl-derived abundance and taxonomic information, harmonised through
the OneBenthic database and standardised using the World Register of Marine
Species (WoRMS_). It was compiled to support large-scale analysis of
spatial patterns in epifaunal taxon richness, abundance, and assemblage
composition, with the aim of informing marine spatial planning, licensing, and
conservation management. Users should note that the dataset excludes pelagic
taxa, larval stages, and areas licensed for anthropogenic activities such as
dredging and renewable energy.
.. _worms:
https://www.marinespecies.org/
