Distribution and abundance of marine benthic invertebrates in the Adriatic Sea
Default
About this resource
- Alternate Identifier
-
0fb65157-ed8b-486d-a1da-b0c80efda348
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-25
- Title
-
Distribution and abundance of marine benthic invertebrates in the Adriatic Sea
- Abstract
-
This dataset comprises 302,552 records containing information on the distribution and abundance of marine benthic invertebrates in the Adriatic Sea (Geographic Sub Area 17). Samples were collected at 67 trawling stations located in the Italian, Slovenian, and international waters of the northern Adriatic Sea as part of the SoleMon project (CNR-IRBIM) between 2008 and 2025.
- Dataset Language
-
English
- Dataset Creator
- Dataset Creator
- Metadata Provider
- Associated Party
- Associated Party
- Associated Party
- Associated Party
- Dataset Contact
- Dataset Contact
- Dataset Contact
- Keywords (EuroVoc Core Concepts)
-
-
Adriatic Sea
-
- Keywords (SeaDataNet device categories)
-
-
beam trawls
-
- Keywords (Environmental Thesaurus)
-
-
benthos
-
- Keywords (Traits Thesaurus)
-
-
Density
-
Biomass
-
Geographic Coverage
- Geographic Description
-
Distrubution and abundance data of marine benthic invertebrates have been collected within Adriatic Sea waters, across 67 trawling stations.
Bounding Box
- West Bounding Coordinate
-
12.389
- East Bounding Coordinate
-
15.709
- North Bounding Coordinate
-
45.644
- South Bounding Coordinate
-
41.996
Temporal Coverage
Range of Dates
- Begin Date
-
2008-10-20
- End Date
-
2025-11-24
Taxonomic Coverage
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Bivalvia
- Taxon ID
-
105
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Gastropoda
- Taxon ID
-
101
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Hexacorallia
- Taxon ID
-
1340
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Malacostraca
- Taxon ID
-
1071
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Octocorallia
- Taxon ID
-
1341
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Ophiuroidea
- Taxon ID
-
123084
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Asteroidea
- Taxon ID
-
123080
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Crinoidea
- Taxon ID
-
123081
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Polychaeta
- Taxon ID
-
883
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Ascidiacea
- Taxon ID
-
1839
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Echinoidea
- Taxon ID
-
123082
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Thecostraca
- Taxon ID
-
22388
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Polyplacophora
- Taxon ID
-
55
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Holothuroidea
- Taxon ID
-
123083
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Scaphopoda
- Taxon ID
-
104
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Demospongiae
- Taxon ID
-
164811
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Hydrozoa
- Taxon ID
-
1337
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Tentaculata
- Taxon ID
-
1249
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Clitellata
- Taxon ID
-
14165
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Gymnolaemata
- Taxon ID
-
1795
Taxonomic Classification
- Taxonomic Rank Name
-
Class
- Taxonomic Rank Value
-
Scyphozoa
- Taxon ID
-
135220
License Information
- Intellectual Rights
-
Free for use, including sharing and adaptation, by all individuals provided that the owners are acknowledged in any use or publication.
Resource License
- License Name
-
cc-by
Distribution
Online
- A brief description of the the content of online URL.
-
DOI
Online
- A brief description of the the content of online URL.
-
Info and download page on LifeWatch Italy Data Portal
Project
• Project
- Title
-
SoleMon - Solea Monitoring
Personnel
Individual Name
- Given Name
-
Giuseppe
- Surname
-
Scarcella
- Organization Name
-
National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM)
- Position Name
-
Researcher
- User ID
-
0000-0001-6540-1997
- Role
-
Point Of Contact
- Abstract
-
The SoleMon project is an experimental trawl survey that provides fishery independent data useful for the sustainable management of marine resources exploited by fisheries. The common sole [Solea solea (Linnaeus, 1758)] is the target species of the survey and is one of the most commercially important species in the Adriatic Sea. The SoleMon surveys and associated data can be used to gain knowledge on the trophic webs and benthic biocenosis of the Adriatic Sea. Moreover, SoleMon data is useful for the estimation of Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MFSD) indicators, especially the ones concerning Descriptors 1,2,3,4,6,9, and 10.
Study Area Description
- Descriptor
-
The northern and central Adriatic Sea (GSA 17) is a shallow, semi‑enclosed basin extending from the northern Adriatic to an ideal line between the Gargano Promontory (Italy) and Kotor (Montenegro), covering roughly 92,000 km². This area is characterized by strong riverine inputs, relatively low salinity, high primary productivity and pronounced seasonal temperature variability. Depths are generally less than 100 m, except for the Mid‑Adriatic Pit (~260 m). Sedimentary habitats range from sandy‑muddy to sandy‑silty substrates hosting diverse benthic communities. GSA 17 sustains intensive demersal and pelagic fisheries, and in recent years has been subject to increasing effort reductions, seasonal closures and stock‑specific management measures.
Methods
• Method
Method Step
- Description
-
Distribution and abundance records of marine benthic invertebrates were gathered during the project SoleMon by using trawl surveys with a modified beam trawl (the rapido trawl). The hauls are planned according to a depth-stratified sampling scheme with random allocation of the positions of sampling stations within each stratum. The hauls are performed yearly between October and December during the daylight.
- protocol
-
SoleMon - Rapido trawl survey in the Adriatic Sea
unknown
SoleMon Handbook Version 4. July 2019. https://dcf-italia.cnr.it/rest/uploads/SOLEMON-Handbook_2019_Ver_4
Method Step
- Description
-
For each haul, depending on the total weight of the haul, a random subsample of megazoobenthos up to 12 kg is retained for detailed analysis. Within the subsample, all benthic invertebrates are identified to the lowest feasible taxonomic level, counted and weighed. To reconstruct haul‑level quantities, a Raising Factor (RF) is calculated as the ratio between the total megazoobenthos weight and the weight of the analyzed subsample according to the formula: RF = Total weight of the haul / (Total weight of subsample + Total weight debris). For each taxon, the numbers and biomasses obtained from the subsample are multiplied by this RF to estimate the totals corresponding to the entire megazoobenthic fraction from both rapido gears.
Data Tables
• Data Table
- Name
-
solemon_benthos_data_20260825.csv
Physical
- Object Name
-
solemon_benthos_data_20260825.csv
- Size
-
115894850
- Authentication
-
MD5:91060831b59453c598a11488220cebc3
Data Format
- textFormat
-
1
column
,
Attribute List
Attribute
- Name
-
eventID
- Label
-
Event ID
- Definition
-
An identifier for the set of information associated with a dwc:Event (something that occurs at a place and time).
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
parentEventID
- Label
-
Parent Event ID
- Definition
-
An identifier for a broader dwc:Event that contains this and potentially other dwc:Events. For this dataset, it refers to the sampling site.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
eventDate
- Label
-
Event Date
- Definition
-
A date-time or time interval during which a dwc:Event occurred.
Measurement Scale
Date time
- Format String
-
YYYY-MM-DD
Attribute
- Name
-
decimalLatitude
- Label
-
Decimal Latitude
- Definition
-
A geographic latitude (in decimal degrees) of a dcterms:Location.
Measurement Scale
Ratio
Unit
- standardUnit
-
degree
Numeric domain
- Number type
-
real
Attribute
- Name
-
decimalLongitude
- Label
-
Decimal Longitude
- Definition
-
A geographic longitude (in decimal degrees) of a dcterms:Location.
Measurement Scale
Ratio
Unit
- standardUnit
-
degree
Numeric domain
- Number type
-
real
Attribute
- Name
-
country
- Label
-
Country
- Definition
-
The name of the country in which the dcterms:Location occurs.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
locationRemarks
- Label
-
Location Remarks
- Definition
-
Describes if the sampling location occurs in national or international waters.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
depth
- Label
-
Depth
- Definition
-
The perpendicular measurement downward from a surface.
Measurement Scale
Ratio
Unit
- standardUnit
-
meter
Numeric domain
- Number type
-
real
Attribute
- Name
-
samplingEffort
- Label
-
Sampling Effort
- Definition
-
The amount of effort expended during a dwc:Event. In this dataset, it refers to the haul duration.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
sampleSizeValue
- Label
-
Sample Size Value
- Definition
-
A numeric value for a measurement of the size (time duration, length, area, or volume) of a sample in a sampling dwc:Event. In this dataset, it refers to extension of the sampled area.
Measurement Scale
Ratio
Unit
- standardUnit
-
kilometerSquared
Numeric domain
- Number type
-
real
Attribute
- Name
-
sampleSizeUnit
- Label
-
Sample Size Unit
- Definition
-
The unit of measurement of the size (time duration, length, area, or volume) of a sample in a sampling dwc:Event. In this dataset, it refers to the unit of measure used to describe the extension of the sampled area.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
occurrenceID
- Label
-
Occurrence ID
- Definition
-
An identifier for a dwc:Occurrence.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
kingdom
- Label
-
Kingdom
- Definition
-
The full scientific name of the kingdom in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
phylum
- Label
-
Phylum
- Definition
-
The full scientific name of the phylum or division in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
class
- Label
-
Class
- Definition
-
The full scientific name of the class in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
order
- Label
-
Order
- Definition
-
The full scientific name of the order in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
family
- Label
-
Family
- Definition
-
The full scientific name of the family in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
genus
- Label
-
Genus
- Definition
-
The full scientific name of the genus in which the dwc:Taxon is classified.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
scientificName
- Label
-
Scientific Name
- Definition
-
The full scientific name, with authorship and date information if known. When forming part of a dwc:Identification, this should be the name in lowest level taxonomic rank that can be determined.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
acceptedNameUsage
- Label
-
Accepted Name Usage
- Definition
-
he full name, with authorship and date information if known, of the currently valid (zoological) or accepted (botanical) dwc:Taxon.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
acceptedNameUsageID
- Label
-
Accepted Name Usage ID
- Definition
-
An identifier for the name usage (documented meaning of the name according to a source) of the currently valid (zoological) or accepted (botanical) taxon.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
- source
-
World Register of Marine Species
Attribute
- Name
-
taxonRank
- Label
-
Taxon Rank
- Definition
-
The taxonomic rank of the most specific name in the dwc:scientificName.
Measurement Scale
nominal
nonNumericDomain
textDomain
- Definition
-
Any Text
Attribute
- Name
-
individualCount
- Label
-
Individual Count
- Definition
-
The number of individuals present at the time of the dwc:Occurrence.
Measurement Scale
Ratio
Unit
- standardUnit
-
number
Numeric domain
- Number type
-
whole
Attribute
- Name
-
density
- Label
-
Density
- Definition
-
The number of organisms, designated by taxonomic names (e.g. species, genus, family), per unit area.
Measurement Scale
Ratio
Unit
- standardUnit
-
numberPerKilometerSquared
Numeric domain
- Number type
-
real
Attribute
- Name
-
biomass
- Label
-
Biomass
- Definition
-
The total weight of organisms, designated by taxonomic names (e.g. species, genus, family).
Measurement Scale
Ratio
Unit
- standardUnit
-
kilogram
Numeric domain
- Number type
-
real
Attribute
- Name
-
biomassPerUnitArea
- Label
-
Biomass Per Unit Area
- Definition
-
The total weight of organisms, designated by taxonomic names (e.g. species, genus, family), per unit area.
Measurement Scale
Ratio
Unit
- Custom Unit
-
Kilogram Per Kilometer Squared
Numeric domain
- Number type
-
real
- numberOfRecords
-
302552
