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.
