Cretan Sea (NE Mediterranean), bounded by 35.3 N to 35.75 N and 24.7 E to 25.3 E

Zoobenthos taxonomic abundance; Zoobenthos taxonomy-related wet weight biomass per unit area of the bed

Unconsolidated sediment corers

Macrobenthic faunal composition, abundance, biomass and diversity were investigated on a seasonal basis, in order to determine the spatial and temporal bathymetric changes of the macrobenthic community. Quantitative benthic samples were collected from a grid of 22 stations ranging from 40 to 1570 m depth and sliced into 3 depth layers down to 20 cm sediment depth. The data reveal 4 principle clusters according to depth: below 200m, 200-540m, 540-940m and above 940m. This study was part of the multidisciplinary EU MAST II MTP III project CINCS (contract MAS2-CT94-0092).

Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology & Aquaculture
Gournes Pediados P.O. Box 2214
Heraklion
Crete
71003
Greece