Benthic macroinfaunal taxa, Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) Chukchi Sea research cruise, collected from Norseman II in Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea from 2015-08-13 to 2015-09-03 (NCEI Accession 0237934)

This dataset contains benthic macroinfaunal population level from sediment samples collected at each station for the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) cruise in 2015 on the Norseman II, identified by station number (#), Station name (Stn. Name), Date (YYYYMMDD), latitude (°N), longitude (°W), and station depth (m). The following macroinfaunal parameters were determined: abundance, wet weight biomass (gww/m2), dry weight biomass (gC/m2), and taxon type.

The Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean is experiencing major reductions in seasonal sea ice extent and increases in sea surface temperatures. One of the key uncertainties in this region is how the marine ecosystem will respond to seasonal shifts in the timing of spring sea ice retreat and/or delays in fall sea ice formation. Variations in upper ocean water hydrography, planktonic production, pelagic-benthic coupling and sediment carbon cycling are all influenced by sea ice and temperature change.