Benthic community samples collected by Pellegrino and Hubbard (1983) in Long Island Sound, USGS OFR 00-304

This data layer, which focuses on benthic communities, was developed
as part of a cooperative project between the University of New Haven,
the Connecticut DEP, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Benthic
communities are an integral component of the ecology of Long Island
Sound.

Understanding the role that spatial heterogeneity plays in the dynamic
of benthic landscapes may be a key to developing a better
understanding of the estuarine ecology and the impacts of human
activity. The purpose of providing this data layer is to help
establish a regional framework for developing a more extensive GIS for
benthic communities in Long Island Sound that can be used for
education, research, and environmental management.

This data layer provides the location where samples were taken in a
survey conducted by P. Pellegrino and W. Hubbard (1983). Sediment
samples were collected by grab sampler and were wet sieved to remove
the mud fraction. Coarse fractions were stored in formalin until
individual species specimens could be identified and counted with a
binocular microscope under reflected light.