AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
First satellite tracking of sea turtles in Albania

The second phase of the three-year project “Monitoring and Conservation of Important Sea Turtle Feeding Grounds in the Patok Area of Albania, 2008-2010” included the satellite tracking of three loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta).
Turtles were caught incidentally by local fishermen who find them in their fish traps called “stavnikes”. One turtle (Shpresa) was assumed to be an early-adult female; the other two (Guximtari and Patoku) were immature males (sexually-developing).
The project revealed habitat use by these males, different overwintering strategies, the timing of a return migration into Albanian waters, and the fact that all three turtles used Drini Bay in consecutive summers i.e. showing fidelity to a foraging site.



The overall project aimed to establish the Patok lagoon area and Drini Bay in general as an important foraging area for sea turtles. Together with data and results derived using ‘traditional’ research methods (tagging, etc), the satellite tracking data have been used to justify the need for sea turtle protection measures to be enacted in Albania. Management Recommendations for Drini Bay and an Action Plan for the Conservation of Sea Turtles and their Habitats in Albania were formally submitted by MEDASSET to the Albanian Authorities in January 2012; the latter was officially adopted by Ministerial Order No. 596 on 22nd November 2012: a contribution to the Mediterranean Region’s endeavours to safeguard turtles in all of their habitats and migratory corridors.



The project was developed by MEDASSET in close collaboration with the Albanian Herpetofauna Society and the University of Tirana, with the endorsement of the Albanian Ministry of Environment. The satellite tracking programme was funded by the Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme in 2009 within the framework of the project “Monitoring and conservation of important sea turtle feeding grounds in the Patok Area of Albania 2008-10”, a project co-funded by MEDASSET, the United Nations Environment Programme-Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) of UNEP/MAP and the British Chelonia Group.
Biomass of Characteristic Intertidal and Subtidal Taxa in the N of Spain from 1992 to 2003

The second dataset was developed with the objective of the ecological status assessment in marine areas where sewage outfall discharges were projected. For this purpose, several field campaigns were carried out along the north coast of Spain (Avilés, Gijón, Saja-Besaya, Santander, Santoña, Urdaibai and San Sebastián-Pasajes) between 1998 and 2003. In each of these sites transects perpendicular to the coast were established. Then, samples were taken both in the intertidal and shallow subtidal to obtain the biomass of macroalgae taxa. The main characteristic and canopy taxa of the area were selected: Bifurcaria bifurcata, Cystoseira baccata, Cystoseira tamariscifolia, Gelidium corneum, Gelidium spinosum, Laminaria hyperborea, Laminaria ochroleuca, Saccorhiza polyschides and Stypocaulon scoparium.
Meiobenthic data Manuela

Dataset of meiobenthos in the framework of Manuela.
The main purpose of this data collection was to formulate an answer on the following questions: (1) what are the differences between meiofauna assemblages from beaches and the sublittoral zone, (2) is a sandy beach an independently functioning ecosystem and (3) what is the role of meiofauna in an energy flow through a beach ecosystem. These data also contributed to a larger study, where the density and diversity of meiofauna along a large latitudinal gradient was compared.
Фитопланктон в прибрежных водах острова Змеиный в Черном море (2004-2015 гг.)

Species composition, abundance and biomass of phytoplankton in the coastal waters of Zmiinyi island in the Black Sea in 2004-2015.
Odessa National I.I. Mechnikov University phytoplankton dataset collected in the Zmiinyi Island coastal waters in the Black Sea in the framework of national research projects funded by Ministry of Science and Education of Ukraine in 2004-2015. This dataset include about 25262 records of abundance and 25262 records of wet weight biomass for about 476 phytoplankton species in 1524 samples. Phytoplankton sampling was performed using 5 l Niskin bottle.
Dynamics of coastal eutrophicated ecosystems

The monitoring programme includes the weekly measurement at reference station 330_a of major inorganic nutrients, chlorophyll-a, phytoplankton (diatoms and Phaeocystis) enumeration, bacteria and heterotrophic nanoflagellates.
Database on chlorophyll-a and nutrient concentrations and densities for phytoplankton Diatoma and Phaeocystis globosa.
Biodiversity of the upper-mesophotic octocoral habitats at Sporades Archipelago (Aegean Sea)

The dataset describes the megabenthic biodiversity that has been recorded in five locations at the upper mesophotic zone of the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades. The expedition ran in the summer of 2021 with a focus on the study of the structure of the octocoral habitats with emphasis on the forests of Eunicella cavolini and Paramuricea clavata. Non-invasive methods have been applied to collect the relevant information. This includes 4K GoPro cameras with lights and scaled laser beams along with an underwater camera system with strobes. The provided dataset is preliminary and far from being considered complete; however, it sets the foundation for new information to be added in future expeditions.
Project DataThis work is part of the project “The Coral gardens of Alonnisos Northern Sporades Marine Park”, funded by the Thalassa Foundation. Without them, this work could not be possible. Special thanks to the Eforate of Undewater Antiquites for the special permission for Science Dive operations, to Panos Anagnostou and the Alonissos-Seacolours Dive center for the technical support and the Management Body of the Alonnisos Northern Sporades Marine Park for their supportTitle    “The Coral gardens of Alonnisos Northern Sporades Marine Park”Funding    Funded by the Thalassa Foundation.Study Area Description    Alonnisos Northern Sporades Marine ParkSampling MethodsEquipment used are GoPro cameras, Canon Cameras, Visual Census. During June 2021, technical scuba diving operations were carried out at every site to verify the occurrence of coral forests and perform noninvasive monitoring from 30 to 45 m depth, with qualitative explorations up to 60 m depth. Underwater videos were carried out using 4K cameras equipped with two video lights of 12,000 lm each and two parallel laser beams for scaling. Image analysis and processing for the coral forests were performed using ImageJ/Fiji software, and sampling units of 2.5 ± 0.2 m2 were defined along each transect, according to the minimal area used for the quantification of Mediterranean octocoral habitats.Study Extent    Octocoral forests created by the yellow sea fan Eunicella cavolini and the red sea fan Paramuricea clavata were studied at the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades (Aegean Sea, Greece), between 30 and 45 m depth, in order to assess their conservation status and the occurrence of both natural and anthropogenic stressors.Quality Control    Taxonomic Data mapped to WoRMS.Method step description:Based on local knowledge and interviews with diving centers, five sites have been selected for the assessment of upper mesophotic coral forests. Three of them are located in the straits of Skopelos–Alonnisos, at Agios Georgios islet and Mikro islet, and at the tip of Fanari in Alonnisos. Two more sites are located 1.5 nautical miles northeast of Dyo Adelfia islet, at the so-called Barketa reef, and off the twin islets Moro and Moules.
Temporal evolution of zooplankton by WP2 net in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea, Villefranche-sur-mer 2004-2010

The Observatoire of Villefranche sur Mer supports the daily sampling of zooplankton since 1966 at a time series station located at the entrancy of the Bay of Villefranche sur Mer. Samples were collected by a vertical tow from bottom to surface (75-0 m), using a WP2 net. Zooplankton abundance was counted by specialist at OOV under microscopes
Samples were collected by a vertical tow from bottom to surface (75-0 m), using a WP2 net: 220µm of mesh, opening: 0.25m². Zooplankton abundance was counted by specialist at OOV under microscopes. 
The sampling site is located at the mouth of the Bay over a bathymetry of 80m and is thus open to the Ligurian Sea.
2014_DEMER - Acoustic telemetry data for four fish species in the Demer river (Belgium)

This is an acoustic telemetry dataset published by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO). It contains animal (fish) tracking data collected by the Permanent Belgian Acoustic Receiver Network (https://lifewatch.be/en/fish-acoustic-receiver-network) for the project/study 2014_demer, using VEMCO tags (V7, V13) and receivers (VR2W). In total 16 adult individuals of four local wild fish species (Petromyzon marinus, Rutilus rutilus, Silurus glanis, Squalius cephalus) were captured, tagged and released in 2014, to study the effect of a specific barrier on their upstream/downstream migration in the Demer basin.
Longitudinal and lateral connectivity of rivers is necessary for fish to successfully fulfill their life cycle. In Flanders, fish are obstructed in their essential free migrations by weirs, sluices, mills, and pumping stations, which are needed to control the water level. The Demer river drains the eastern part of the Scheldt basin. Fish migrating from the sea to the Demer river are obstructed by three hydraulic constructions. In this study we aimed to evaluate the possibilities for fish migration around the most upstream of these three constructions, the Grote Steunbeer in the city of Diest. Therefore, behaviour of two sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), two roach (Rutilus rutilus), nine Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) and three chub (Squalius cephalus) was investigated by acoustic telemetry in the areas up-, downstream and around the fish migration barrier. The results indicated that free upstream fish migration in the Demer river is obstructed by the Grote Steunbeer barrier in its current state, and that adaptations to this barrier should get priority as the tributary of the Zwarte beek only partly offers an alternative route for fish to qualitative spawning habitats upstream.

This dataset was collected using infrastructure provided by VLIZ and INBO funded by the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) as part of the Belgian contribution to LifeWatch. The study was commissioned by the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM). Data were exported from the European Tracking Network data portal (http://www.lifewatch.be/etn) developed by VLIZ using the ETN R package (https://inbo.github.io/etn/) developed by INBO. Field definitions can be found at https://inbo.github.io/etn/articles/etn_fields.html.
2013_ALBERTKANAAL - Acoustic telemetry data for European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and hatched Salmon (Salmo salar) in the Albert canal (Belgium)

This is an acoustic telemetry dataset published by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO). It contains animal (fish) tracking data collected by the Permanent Belgian Acoustic Receiver Network (https://lifewatch.be/en/fish-acoustic-receiver-network) for the project/study 2013_albertkanaal, using VEMCO tags (V7, V9, V13) and receivers (VR2AR, VR2Tx, VR2W). In total 161 female individuals of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and 134 (hatched) smolts of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were captured, tagged and released between 2013 and 2017, to study the effect of shipping locks and hydropower plants on their downstream migration in the Albert canal.
Navigation locks play an important role for ship navigation on canals and other regulated waterways worldwide. Unfortunately, these structures may severely impact the aquatic ecosystem and freshwater fish in particular. In Belgium (Europe), the Albert canal connecting the Meuse river to the Scheldt river, is an important migration route for European eel (critically endangered) and Atlantic salmon (vulnerable). During their downstream migration these fish are hampered by six subsequent navigation lock complexes present in the canal. Three of which are by-passed by a small channel leading to a hydropower plant with large Archimedes screw turbines. In the coming years, three more such hydropower plants are to be installed next to three of six ship lock complexes. The Archimedes screws function both as pump and turbine (hydropower generator). Two dimensional fine scale positioning, as well as impact assessment through assessment of fish injury and mortality at the Archimedes screws, was performed to better understand the overall impact of these anthropogenic structures on diadromous fish, such as eel and salmon.

This dataset was collected using infrastructure provided by VLIZ and INBO funded by the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) as part of the Belgian contribution to LifeWatch. The study was commissioned by the Vlaamse Waterweg NV. Data were exported from the European Tracking Network data portal  (http://www.lifewatch.be/etn)  developed by VLIZ using the ETN R package  (https://inbo.github.io/etn/)  developed by INBO. Field definitions can be found at https://inbo.github.io/etn/articles/etn_fields.html.
Small Cetaceans in the European Atlantic and North Sea (SCANS II) - 2005

Sightings SCANS-II, shipboard data
The objective of SCANS-II was to estimate small cetacean abundance in the North Sea and European Atlantic continental shelf waters, and to allow the assessment and management of bycatch and other anthropogenic threats through the development of improved methods for monitoring and a robust management framework, thus defining a clear course of action to allow populations to recover to and maintain favourable conservation status. 

The project followed the SCANS project in 1994 and provides an opportunity to observe how
distribution and abundance has changed in the intervening decade.

In addition to the area surveyed during SCANS-I, this project also covers continental shelf waters to the west of Britain, Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal. The northern boundary will be approximately 62° N and the southern limit will be the boundary of the region covered by the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS). 

To estimate absolute abundance, a combination of shipboard and aerial surveys was carried out in July 2005. Both visual and acoustic survey methods were used to detect cetaceans on the shipboard surveys.
2011_RIVIERPRIK - Acoustic telemetry data for river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) in the upper Scheldt river (Belgium)

This is an acoustic telemetry dataset published by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO). It contains animal (fish) tracking data collected by what later became the Permanent Belgian Acoustic Receiver Network  (https://lifewatch.be/en/fish-acoustic-receiver-network) for the project/study 2011_rivierprik, using VEMCO tags (V7, V8) and receivers (VR2, VR2W). In total 39 adult individuals of river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) were captured, tagged and released in 2011 and 2012, to study the effect of weirs and shipping locks on their upstream spawning migration in the tidal and/or non-tidal part of the Scheldt river and its tributaries.
The disruption of longitudinal and lateral connectivity of rivers has led to ecological catastrophes such as the extinction of several diadromous fish species. River lamprey is an important indicator species for the integrity of ecosystems and connectivity within and between catchment areas. In the highly fragmented Scheldt river basin first restoration actions are undertaken, such as the building of nature-like bypasses. The migration patterns in the river catchment and their behaviour at a tidal barrier, lock-weir complexes and fish bypasses (passage timing and delay) in the upper Scheldt river show that the disrupted water management of the river and in consequence of its barriers and bypasses are one keys to (un)successful spawning migration in the catchment, beside spawning habitat deterioration.

The study was commissioned by the Vlaamse Waterweg NV. Data were exported from the European Tracking Network data portal  (http://www.lifewatch.be/etn)  developed by VLIZ using the ETN R package  (https://inbo.github.io/etn/)  developed by INBO. Field definitions can be found at https://inbo.github.io/etn/articles/etn_fields.html.
Benthic data from Sevastopol (Black Sea)

The dataset contains the abundance and biomass values of sediment organisms from the Sevastopol region (South-Western Crimea, The Black Sea, Ukraine) collected between 1982 and 1992.
Abundance and Biomass of benthic organisms and key abiotic variables (covering irregular sampling surveys within 1982-1992) from the Sevastopol Area (South-Western Crimea, The Black Sea, Ukraine) including estuaries and small sheltered and semi-closed bays within the area of "big Sevastopol bay"
Sevastopol Bay is located in south western part of the Crimean peninsula, Ukraine and comprehends the one of the biggest marine harbours of the Black Sea and has served as an industrialized naval base for decades. A consequence of this long-term industrial, military and municipal activity was the deterioration of the marine environment of the bay, depressed state of benthic assemblages and occurrence of expanded bottom areas that became contaminated with various sediment-associated pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and metals. Benthic samples in Sevastopol bay heve been taken between 1982 and 1992.
Cetacean sightings of PELACUS surveys: Continental shelf of Galicia and Bay of Biscay - Database of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC)

This dataset provides access to cetacean sighting records collected throughout the historical series of PELACUS surveys, from 2007 to 2022.The PELACUS survey is an annual survey for the evaluation of fishing resources organized by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) that has incorporated top predators’ (marine mammals, birds and turtles) observers since 2007. The spatial coverage of this survey covers the continental shelf waters in the north and northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, comprising Spanish waters found between the coast and the 1000 meters isobath, from the northern border with Portugal, at the mouth of the Miño River, to the border with France in the Bay of Biscay. This survey has carried out additional transects in some of its editions, sampling on the continental shelf of northern Portugal, as well as the French slope in the Bay of Biscay. Data on sightings in these areas are included.
The methodology for obtaining data consists of the recording of sightings of cetaceans and seabirds during periods of sampling effort that cover daylight hours with sea state conditions equal to or less than 5 on the Beaufort scale through pre-established transects perpendicular to the coast, as well as in the paths between transects. During sampling effort, data on environmental conditions are collected. For each sampling, data on the position, time, distance, and angle with respect to the bow of the ship, are collected, as well as a series of data including the species (or taxonomic group when animals were not identified at species level), number of individuals, life stage or behaviour. This database shows the coordinates of the ship at the time of sighting. The sightings are recorded by 2 top predators’ observers that carry out search effort from the outer area in front of the bridge, from 8 in the morning local time until sunset, and whenever the sea state is equal to or less than 5.Data obtained during the PELACUS oceanographic survey, carried out annually between the spring months of March and April, from 2007 to 2022, with the exception of 2020, when the survey was not carried out for health reasons caused by COVID-19. The study area is covered by transects perpendicular to the coast. In each survey, between 44 and 56 transects are carried out, separated from each other by 8 or 10 nautical miles, with variability in the design of the transects in the different years.The data are validated by the observer at the end of each dayMethod step description:During sampling effort, data on environmental conditions are periodically collected.For each sampling, data on the position, time, distance, and angle with respect to the bow of the ship, are collected, as well as a series of data including the species (or taxonomic group when animals were not identified at species level), number of individuals, life stage or behaviour. This database shows the coordinates of the ship at the time of sighting.
The echinoderm collection (IE) of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris)

The aim is to provide a general view of the echinoderm collection of the Paris Museum, which is primarily a scientific collection. The naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, one of the founders of the Theory of Evolution, was the first to really establish the collection of echinoderms at the Paris Museum. There are both dry and alcohol-preserved lots. Some sea cucumber specimens are preserved as microscopic preparations on slides. The number of lots is estimated at 500,000, of which 0.4% are types. Echinoderms have been collected in all oceans, at all latitudes. The largest numbers of specimens were collected relatively recently in the Indo-West Pacific.
Echinoderms live exclusively in marine waters and at all depths. For 25 years intensive research programs have permitted huge collections to be obtained, especially from the Indo-Pacific and Antarctic regions. Most of the data entered so far are from these regions.
Biological Reference Collections ICM CSIC

The Biological Reference Collections (CBR) are located at the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) in Barcelona. They were created in 1981, thanks to the efforts of Jaume Rucabado, Domingo Lloris and Concepción Allué.
However, its official opening for the consultation was not carried out up until March of 1982. They are catalogued by the Spanish Ministery of Culture from 1990 (C. Sanz-Pastor and F. de Piérola, 1990. - Museos y Colecciones de España). Research lines don't exist. The biological collections are an Unit of Service of the ICM for the cataloguing, the preservation and the study of the deposited marine organisms (fish, crustaceans, cephalopods and echinoderms). The access to the CBR is carried out after previous application to the curator and keeping in mind the work to carry out. This application can be made in person or by means of postal mail, e-mail, fax or telephone. It is also possible to be access to the preserved specimens previous application backed up by some scientific institution. In this supposition, the applicant will receive by mail or messenger the ordered material without postal costs. After the agreed time, the applicant will return the material paying himself the postal fees. Use restrictions: 1 -The type specimens are not sent and they can only be consulted in the facilities of the CBR. 2 - the borrowed material won't be subjected to destructive techniques (dissection, extraction of organs, etc.), for that supposition additional material exists. Only in special cases the extraction of some samples can be authorized, but always under previous application.