CEFAS27f3260b-fe6b-4092-9699-0442cc36b0a4 English dataset Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS) Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory Pakefield Road Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 0HT UK data.manager@cefas.co.uk pointOfContact 2025-04-11T12:30:13 EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry 2022-01-07 revision WGS 84 Mesozooplankton abundance in the Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea and English Channel 2012-2016 2022-08-25 publication 2025-04-11 revision 2015-03-10 creation CEFAS3292 https://data.cefas.co.uk Mesozooplankton abundance data gathered as part of an annual autumn pelagic survey in the English Channel, Celtic Sea and Bristol Channel, running from 2012-2016. Samples were obtained using twin ringnet deployments and subsequently processed back at the lab using ZooScan image analysis. Count abundances from semi-automatic image classifications on Plankton Identifier (and later, EcoTaxa) were then converted into abundances per m3 using estimates of filtered volume from flowmeter readings. The current dataset comprises mesozooplankton results from the POSEIDON survey series which ran until 2016, although results have continued to be obtained as part of the expanded PELTIC survey series, which has been ongoing since 2017. Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS) Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory Pakefield Road Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 0HT UK data.manager@cefas.co.uk originator Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS) Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory Pakefield Road Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 0HT UK data.manager@cefas.co.uk custodian Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS) Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory Pakefield Road Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 0HT UK data.manager@cefas.co.uk distributor Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk owner notPlanned Plankton Monitoring Taxonomy Ecosystem GEMET, version 1.0 2008-06-01 publication Zooplankton SeaDataNet P03 parameter discovery vocabulary 2011-03-25 revision Plankton abundance per unit volume of the water column SeaDataNet P02 parameter discovery vocabulary 2011-03-25 revision Species distribution GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2008-06-01 publication Unknown SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2010-05-18 revision Marine Environmental Data and Information Network MEDIN metadata record availability 2012-01-11 publication data.gov.uk MEDIN metadata record availability 2012-01-11 publication otherRestrictions noLimitations otherRestrictions Public data - no limitations to reuse English biota -7.00 -1.50 49.25 51.75 2013-10-12 2016-11-01 Delimited Geographic Information System Unknown https://data.cefas.co.uk/view/3292 Cefas Data Portal download The Cefas Data Portal contains metadata records and data sets available to download and connect to in support of our commitment to open science. Data is available in the following formats: CSV, ESRI Shapefile. The data can also be accessed via the WFS and WMS protocols. dataset INSPIRE Data Specification on Species Distribution – Technical Guidelines 2013-12-10 publication false See the referenced specification Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services 2010-12-08 publication true See the referenced specification ZooScan image analysis of mesozooplankton samples was initially trialed with samples collected in the first annual survey in 2012. Samples were collected with twin ringnet deployments and KC flowmeter attachments onboard the RV Cefas Endeavour, with image analysis conducted on those obtained using an 80µm ringnet of 0.5m diameter. Deployments were made at set station locations along transect lines which concentrated on UK territorial waters around the Cornish Peninsula, from the Bristol Channel south of Wales and eastern Celtic Sea to the western side of the English Channel. The transect lines stations are located within were designed with their spacing and orientation across the prevailing bathymetry of the area. Preserved samples were sent back to the Plankton Lab at the Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory and thereafter split into fractions and prepped for image analysis using ZooScan. To obtain a representative subsample, a minimum of 200 zooplankton specimens needed to be captured in the images where possible from each sample, with rescans conducted as necessary. Images of objects processed from the sample were then taxonomically classified within Plankton Identifier software. Once uploaded into either Plankton Identifier, scanned objects from each sample were predicted into taxa categories with the provision of a learning set to aid automatic image sorting using Random Forest algorithms. These predicted classifications are validated afterward by an experienced zooplankton taxonomist and the metadata downloaded with the individual taxa counts. Filtered volume estimates were obtained based on calculations using flowmeter rotor revolution counts recorded for each station. Objects captured in images were separated into zooplankton taxa and detritus groups and abundances estimated in terms of individuals per m3, using counts and filtered volume and raising factor calculations based on the sample fractions used. An agreed subset of the data may be selected for QC checks by a second experienced taxonomist, ensuring quality control in the image classifications. MEDIN 3.1.1