Welcome to the macrozoobenthic functional trait database!

This is an open source database for life history traits of macrobenthic fauna. This shiny app lets you search for, and download data on life history characteristics of macrobenthic fauna. The database currently contains information on 16 traits. More information on the trait database can be found in the Metadata tab

Adding data

New taxa as well as traits can be added to the database by providing taxon information and scores, including references and validation, to k.j.meijer@rug.nl. Preferably, for each taxa submitted all traits included in the database should be scored. For new traits, preferably all taxa included in the database should be scored.

Reference & Terms of Use

Any use of data or information from this database has to be referenced as follows:

Meijer, K.J., Gusmao, J.B., Bruil, L., Franken, O., Grimm, I., van der Heide, T., Hijner, N., Holthuijsen, S.J., Hübner, L., Thielthges, D.W., Olff, H., Eriksson, B.K. & Govers, L.L. (2023). The seafloor from a trait perspective. A comprehensive life history dataset of soft sediment macrozoobenthos. Scientific Data, 10, 808. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02728-5

Gusmao, J. B., Thieltges, D. W., Dekker, R., Govers, L. L., Meijer, K. J., & Klemens Eriksson, B. (2022). Comparing taxonomic and functional trait diversity in marine macrozoobenthos along sediment texture gradients. Ecological Indicators, 145, 109718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109718