A dataset from the Australian Ocean Data Network describes a novel concurrent sampling method for planktobenthic and benthic fauna. The Mounted Assembly for Planktobenthic Sampling (MAPS) was deployed on the Carnarvon Shelf in Western Australia, successfully collecting a wide variety of epibenthic, infaunal, and planktobenthic organisms. The method uses a tri-layered net with a seafloor-triggered mechanism attached to an epibenthic sled.
Use Cases
- Analyze relationships between benthic and planktobenthic species counts based on the described correlation.
- Study larval ecology and nutrient cycling based on concurrent collection of benthic and planktobenthic biota.
- Investigate biogeographic patterns of fragile larvae and adults collected by the tri-layered net.
- Develop surrogacy models for marine ecosystems based on the concurrent sampling data.
Strengths
- Describes a novel concurrent sampling method (MAPS) for planktobenthic and benthic fauna.
- Data collection was successful on the Carnarvon Shelf, capturing a wide variety of organisms.
- The tri-layered net method is noted for effectively collecting smaller fragile larvae and adults.
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the Carnarvon Shelf deployment.
Provenance
- Source
- Australian Ocean Data Network
- Collection Method
- Deployment of the Mounted Assembly for Planktobenthic Sampling (MAPS) sled.
- Freshness
- Last updated 2026-04-16 15:57:54.171547; freshness should be verified.
- Geography
- Carnarvon Shelf, Western Australia