The data consist of two trait expression datasets described in Bolam, Downie
and Cooper (2023). Used in conjunction with a number of raster data layers
(see paper for details) and the accompanying R script (
https://github.com/CefasRepRes/OneBenthicTraitsMapping_), these data can be
used to generate all paper outputs (i.e. Figures and Tables).
The two traits datasets provide trait expression-by-station for combinations
of 'Response' and 'Effect' trait categories. Response traits (i.e.,
Morphology, Egg Development, Living Habit, Sediment Position, Mobility) relate
to a taxon’s ability to respond (i.e., withstand/tolerate/recover) to a
natural or anthropogenic change in the environment, whilst Effects traits
(i.e. Body Size, Longevity, Larval Development, Feeding Mode, Bioturbation
Mode) reflect differences in functional potential. Trait expression is
calculated for each sample by multiplying taxon abundances (4th root
transformed) by their corresponding fuzzy coded trait modalities, with values
then summed across each trait modality.
Both the macrofaunal abundance and traits data used in this study and from
where this published dataset derives, come from the OneBenthic portal (
https://rconnect.cefas.co.uk/onebenthic_portal/_). Macrofauna data pertain
to ~33 thousand 0.1m2 grab and core samples processed over a 1mm sieve and
collected between 1976 and 2020. Traits data held in OneBenthic originate from
Clare et al. (2022), but have been augmented to account for some additional
taxa.
.. _https://github.com/cefasrepres/onebenthictraitsmapping:
https://github.com/CefasRepRes/OneBenthicTraitsMapping
.. _https://rconnect.cefas.co.uk/onebenthic_portal/:
https://rconnect.cefas.co.uk/onebenthic_portal/
