Data of predation on mussels from an LTREB project in the Gulf of Maine, USA, from 1996 to 2021.

Experimental clearings in macroalgal (Ascophyllum nodosum) stands were made in 1996 to determine if mussel beds and macroalgal stands on protected intertidal shores in New England represent alternative community states. Uncleared control plots and four sizes of circular clearings (1m, 2m, 4m and 8m in diameter), which mimicked ice scour events, were established in A. nodosum stands at 12 sites on Swan’s Island, Maine, USA. This dataset reports mussel predation on clumps of 15 mussels (Mytilus edulis) using mesh bags placed in the centers of clearings and controls. Mussel mortality was monitored in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2007 and then annually from 2010 to 2021. Causes of death were attributed to dogwhelks (Nucella lapillus), crabs (Carcinus maenas and Cancer spp.) or unknown causes. Presence and activities (e.g., drilling) of dogwhelks was also recorded. The standardized identifiers (Bay, Site, Plot) allow integration with related Environmental Data Initiative packages on community composition and recruitment of mussels, barnacles and rockweeds. Research was funded by NSF's LTREB program.