This database is the result of the integration of more than 40 smaller datasets, collected under the MarBEF European Network of Excellence. It contains information on macrofauna in general, covering both soft and rocky bottoms. There are also a number of pelagic datasets available. There is also a lot of information available on environmental variables, as well as information on biomass. All these data will be analysed together, in order to investigate large scale and long term networking on the observation of global change and its impact on marine biodiversity. The overall objective is to collect data on a large-scale network of research locations/sites along the European coast in order to assess long-term changes in biodiversity and their possible causes taking into account natural and anthropogenic gradients. The specific aims are to:

• Collate and analyse suitable long-term datasets on marine biodiversity in co-operation with Workpackage 1 (Data Integration), WP 2 (Taxonomic Clearing System) and WP 6 (Quality Assurance) using common approaches to determine key aspects of change
• Review and apply methods and tools for comparison of species assemblages and their changes along at a hierarchy of spatial scales, including latitudinal and longitudinal gradients across Europe
• Relate changes in biodiversity and patterns of changes to the variability and trends of the hydro-climatic environment
• Formulate hypotheses on causes and consequences of biodiversity and environmental change in an ecosystem context
• Develop concepts and research approaches, particularly experimental ones, for hypothesis testing and to detect and compare similar Global Change driven trends in different regions of Europe.