The Biological Traits Information Catalogue (BIOTIC) aims to provide scientists working within the field of benthic community ecology with an additional tool for their data analyses. Biological traits information of benthic species contained in the BIOTIC database can be downloaded and linked to benthic survey data. This may allow benthic data to be analysed not only on a taxonomic level but also on a functional level.
The BIOTIC database contains information on over 40 biological trait categories on selected benthic species, together with additional supporting information, including a bibliography of literature from which the information was obtained. The emphasis is on benthic invertebrates and plants. Users can browse the species list or search for information by specific categories of biological trait.
We would like BIOTIC to be viewed as a first source of information on which scientists can draw when conducting a traits analysis on their specific benthic datasets. We would also like to see the database evolving with the help of the users themselves. Therefore, we encourage users to comment on and contribute to the current database. Click here to contact BIOTIC staff.
The BIOTIC project is an initiative of the Marine Biological Association (MBA), developed by the Marine Life Information Network ( MarLIN ), in collaboration with MBA scientists (Drs Hilmar Hinz and Stuart Jenkins) and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (Dr Paul Somerfield). BIOTIC has been developed under funding to MarLIN from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Marine Stewardship programme of the Crown Estates Commissioners. Species maps are generated using the Web Services of the National Biodiversity Network (NBN).
Recommended citation:
MarLIN, 2006. BIOTIC - Biological Traits Information Catalogue. Marine Life Information Network. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [Cited insert date] Available from <www.marlin.ac.uk/biotic>
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