Seasonal regulation of sediment chlorophyll a in the tidal flats of China: new insights for benthic–pelagic coupling

This dataset compiles field measurements of surface-sediment chlorophyll a (Chl a) from unvegetated tidal flats along the coast of China, together with a suite of co-located environmental variables that characterize climatic forcing, hydrographic conditions, and sediment properties. Chl a in the surficial sediment is used as an index of microphytobenthos standing stock and near-bed primary producer biomass, and is provided here to support analyses of spatial (e.g., latitudinal) variability and seasonal contrasts in intertidal functioning.