Global dataset of microbial plankton to assess long-term responses to ocean warming in the late 21st century

Data Set 1. Global microbial plankton dataset This dataset compiles global data of microbial plankton and associated environmental variables used to assess long-term responses to ocean warming and implications for air–sea CO₂ exchange. The dataset includes geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude), ocean basin, sampling depth, and water column layer classification. Biological variables comprise abundance and carbon biomass of heterotrophic bacteria (HB), autotrophic picoplankton (AP), total picoplankton (HB + AP), and the AP:HB ratio, expressed both in terms of abundance and carbon biomass. Environmental variables include temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentrations (NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, PO₄³⁻, and Si). Data Set 2 -Projected microbial plankton biomass under ocean warming This dataset contains the numerical results of projected changes in sea surface temperature (SST) across the five ocean basins, computed from area-weighted annual SST means under four future climate scenarios, ranging from more sustainable pathways (SSP1-2.6 and SSP2-4.5) to high-emissions trajectories (SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5). Projections are provided on a global grid defined by latitude and longitude and correspond to each SSP climate scenario. The dataset includes projected carbon biomass (µg C L⁻¹) of heterotrophic bacteria, autotrophic picoplankton, total picoplankton, and the AP:HB ratio, estimated as a function of temperature.