Scallop density survey data across landscape fragmentation per se treatments in June, July, and August 2019 in Back Sound, NC

This dataset contains metadata and data for scallop density surveys across landscape fragmentation per se treatments in June, July, and August 2019. These data were collected as part of the following study published in Yarnall et al. (2024):

To explore the independent influence of fragmentation per se (patchiness) on mobile juvenile bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) density, we constructed 16 artificial seagrass unit (ASU) landscapes, consisting of four replicates each of four treatments. Fragmentation per se treatments consisted of three levels of patchiness while maintaining consistent total ASU area. We also examined the effect of patch-scale position on scallop densities.

Freely mobile juvenile scallops were placed at a consistent density (indiv. m-2) across landscapes for three density survey trials, one each during June, July, and August 2019. Observers snorkel surveyed each landscape at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h during each trail, and recorded the number of scallops per ASU.

Data were collected by Drs. F. Joel Fodrie and Amy H. Yarnall for the Estuarine Ecology Laboratory of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Institute of Marine Sciences.