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.
Select benthic invertebrate and sediment data collected between 1969 and 2023 for an Ecological Risk-Based Approach to Facilitate Licensing Offshore Wind Development
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Marine Environmental Data & Information Network