Welcome to the Arctic Traits Database!
This is a freely accessible online platform to facilitate exchange of biological trait information among researchers working in the field of Arctic benthic ecology.
Its focus is set on benthic invertebrates from Arctic regions, and the currently 19 traits and 80 trait categories are chosen to reflect the morphology, life history, and behavior of species within these groups. Trait information per species is provided in text format (original literature source and quote provided) and in a ‘fuzzy coded’ mode (scores from 0 to 3). Taxon names are synchronized with the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). More detailed information can be found in the associated publication "The Arctic Traits Database – A repository of arctic benthic invertebrate traits" and in the "Fuzzy codes" section.
Trait information can be browsed online or downloaded in three different formats:
- Data in columns
- Darwin Core format
- As fuzzy coded trait matrix (for direct import in R or other appropriate software).
In case you want to build your own trait database, a code package to create a web-based trait database including a README file with instructions for installation is provided at figshare; https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7491869 (Faulwetter and Degen, 2018).
Do you have more questions, or want to share trait information? Get in touch: renate.degen[at]univie.ac.at
Reference & Terms of Use
The Arctic Traits platform was developed in the framework of the Arctic Traits Project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF (T801-B29) and is hosted at the University of Vienna.
Any use of data or information from the Arctic Traits platform has to be referenced as follows:
