Abstract
Benthic fauna refers to all fauna that live in or on the seafloor, which researchers typically divide into size classes meiobenthos (32/64 µm–0.5/1 mm), macrobenthos (250 µm–1 cm), and megabenthos (>1 cm). Benthic fauna play important roles in bioturbation activity, mineralization of organic matter, and in marine food webs. Evaluating their role in these ecosystem functions requires knowledge of their global distribution and biomass. We therefore established the BenBioDen database, the largest open-access database for marine benthic biomass and density data compiled so far. In total, it includes 11,792 georeferenced benthic biomass and 51,559 benthic density records from 384 and 600 studies, respectively. We selected all references following the procedure for systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and report biomass records as grams of wet mass, dry mass, or ash-free dry mass, or carbon per m2 and as abundance records as individuals per m2. This database provides a point of reference for future studies on the distribution and biomass of benthic fauna.
Highlights
Background & SummaryBenthic fauna, the fauna living in or on the seafloor, includes size classes known as metazoan meiobenthos, metazoan macrobenthos, and megabenthos
The fauna living in or on the seafloor, includes size classes known as metazoan meiobenthos, metazoan macrobenthos, and megabenthos
We report benthic biomass as g wet mass (WM) m−2, as g dry mass (DM) m−2, as g ash-free dry mass (AFDM) m−2 or as g carbon (C) m−2
Summary
Background & SummaryBenthic fauna, the fauna living in (infauna) or on the seafloor (epifauna), includes size classes known as metazoan meiobenthos, metazoan macrobenthos, and megabenthos. The “BenBioDen database” reports 1,445 benthic biomass and 2,085 benthic density studies and datasets identified following standardized procedures for systematic reviews and meta-analyses[30]. All biomass and density data records include further information about the mesh size used to separate meiobenthos from macrobenthos and megabenthos, and macrobenthos from megabenthos, and the sampling gear.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
