Welcome to the Black Sea Traits database!
This is a freely accessible online platform of biological trait information on Black Sea benthic fauna.
The database covers benthic invertebrates from the Black Sea, and currently includes 55 traits and 361 trait categories that reflect the morphology, movement, behaviour, life history, and distribution of species within this group.
Trait information per species is provided in text format (original literature source and quote provided) and in a ‘fuzzy coded’ mode (scores from 0 to 3). Taxon names are synchronized with the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). For more detailed information, check the "Fuzzy codes" section.
Trait information can be browsed online or downloaded in three different formats:
- Data in columns
- Darwin Core format
- As fuzzy coded trait matrix (for direct import in R or other appropriate software).
If you have more questions, or want to share trait information, you can email stefaniaklayn@yahoo.com.
References & Terms of Use
The development of the Black Sea Traits database was supported by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science under the National Research Programme “Young scientists and postdoctoral students” approved by DCM #577/17.08.2018.
If you want to build your own trait database, a code package including a README file with instructions for installation is provided at figshare (Faulwetter & Degen, 2019).
Any use of data or information from the Black Sea Traits Database should also cite the original publication: Degen & Faulwetter, 2019.
The logo design uses free graphics and symbols from the Integration and Application Network media library.
