# Dataset for the article "From loss to life: how empty Pinna nobilis shells enhance motile macroinvertebrate habitats in soft-bottom environments"

This ReadMe file was created on 2026-03-09 by Ana Fortič.

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GENERAL INFORMATION
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Dataset description: This dataset contains data obtained with underwater surveys using quadrats in the Gulf of Trieste (Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean Sea). The aim was to assess the function of empty Pinna nobilis shells as refuges for motile epibenthic macroinvertebrates across vegetated and unvegetated habitats. The dataset includes sampling location information, data about P. nobilis shells, species list and whole mobile invertebrates community dataset.

Author/leading researcher details:
- Name and surname: Ana Fortič
- ORCID: 0000-0002-5715-3572
- Institution: National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station
- Address: Fornače 41, 6330 Piran
- Email: ana.fortic@nib.si
- Role in this dataset: Investigation, Experimental Design, Fieldwork, Species Identification.

Information about the authors:
- Name and surname: Valentina Pitacco
- ORCID: 0000-0003-2724-2838
- Institution: National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station Piran
- Email: valentina.pitacco@nib.si
- Role in this dataset: Investigation, Species Identification.

- Name and surname: Domen Trkov
- ORCID: 0000-0002-6573-2822
- Institution: National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station Piran
- Email: domen.trkov@nib.si
- Role in this dataset: Investigation, Experimental Design, Fieldwork.


Date of data collection: 2022-07-18 to 2024-08-29.
Geographical location of data collection: Slovenian coastal Sea; Marine Biology Station, Piran

Information on the funders/programmes/projects:
TRECap project (Interreg Italia- Slovenia), cofinanced by European Union and the LIFE PINNA project (LIFE20NAT/IT/001122), financed by EU and by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of Slovenia, with financial support from the Slovenian Research Agency (research core funding n. P1-0237).

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SHARING/ACCESSING INFORMATION
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Data licences/restrictions: CC-BY 4.0.
Links to publications that cite or use the data: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2026.109789.

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VIEWING DATA AND FILES
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File list:
- dataset From loss to life.xlsx

Versioning history of data: 
- v1.0 (2026-03-09): Original upload.

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METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION
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Methods used to collect/obtain the data: 
Underwater surveys were performed in the warm part of the year 2023 and 2024 . In each of six location two dives were performed. 50 m transects were laid at this depth, following the coastline and empty shells of P. nobilis were counted and their orientation noted. 10 quadrats, each with an area of 0.25 m2, were placed on the bottom in the same area next to each transect and motile epibenthic motile epibenthic invertebrates larger than 1 cm were counted and identified. For further information see article.