Herbarium collection of intertidal macroalgae biodiversity along the Northwestern Iberian coast in 2020/2021

Study Extent

Data were collected between the autumn of 2020 and the summer of 2021. Sampling was carried out at 71 wave-exposed rocky shore locations along the Northwestern Iberian coast, covering the three major rocky stretches of shoreline in the Northern, Central Portuguese regions and in Galicia.

Sampling

Specimens in this dataset were collected in field work carried out between the autumns of 2020 and the summer of 2021. For the preparation of the herbarium, the algae were placed on drawing paper together with information on the species name, the location of collection, date, and the sample collectors. Specimens were covered by non-adherent paper and placed between journal paper to dry. All specimens were piled and a weight was added on top so that the pressure helped to flatten them and stick them to the paper. Photos of each specimen were taken to duplicate the information in digital support. These photos were taken with a Canon EOS 6D camera fitted with a 28-80 mm objective at a fixed distance (55 cm), without zoom and with a €1 coin to serve as scale.

Method steps

1. The steps that led to the final release of the dataset were as follows: (1) In-situ identification of species and attribution of a semi-quantitative abundance SACFOR score; (2) collection of one specimen per species per site when possible; (3) specimens were dried as described above; (4) photos of dried specimens were taken as described above.

A total of 52 taxa of macroalgae are preserved in this herbarium (Ochrophyta, Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta).

1. Ochrophyta
   rank: phylum
2. Rodophyta
   rank: phylum
3. Chlorophyta
   rank: phylum

Northwestern Iberia, Europe