Macrofauna data along a transect of four stations from the German Bight towards the Dogger Bank from 1990 to 2017

Even if benthic species play an important role in benthic-pelagic coupling e.g. through the remineralization of deposited organic material, the long-term variability of traits and functions is largely unknown. By using abundance and bioturbation potential of macrofauna samples, taken along a transect from the German Bight towards the Dogger Bank annually in May in 1990 and from 1995 to 2017, we analysed the taxonomic and trait-based macrofauna long-term community variability and diversity.

Taxonomic and trait-based diversity remained stable over time, while three different regimes were found, characterised by changes in taxonomic and trait-based community structure. Min/max autocorrelation factor analysis revealed climatic variables, nitrite, and epibenthic abundance as most important environmental drivers for taxonomic and trait-based changes.