The potential value of marine macrofaunal species data

The philosophy of data in science has been a matter of debate for many centuries. A theory-led view of data would suggest that data are only of use for an original stated purpose. I propose that this view would be falsified if a single alternative use were to be found for data and further suggest that the greater part of the value of data may lie beyond its original stated purpose.

Benthic marine macrofauna data are collected from a large number of samples each year mainly to monitor human impacts. The data have diverse origins, sampling methods and usages. These are reviewed for surveys from the outer Thames region
and the ultimate use of data is discussed. A taxonomy of data attributes is suggested. An equivalent classification is provided for attributes of marine species and the nature
of the British marine fauna is reviewed in terms of these attributes, along with a thorough revision of the attributes of the prawn Palaemon longirostris. The comparability and quality considerations of benthic data are discussed using data from the NMBAQC Scheme. Data from Harwich Haven Authority surveys, designed to assess the impacts of port activities, are used to obtain information on the species
recorded, which represents additional use of the data beyond the stated purpose. It is suggested that all data be considered in terms of their full potential use, in addition to their applicability to a stated aim.