Distribution of macrobenthic communities of the coastal marine ecosystem of Chrysi island (Crete, Greece, Spring 2023)

This study is the first to examine the species composition and population density of macrobenthic communities living in soft-bottom sediments within the sublittoral zone surrounding Chryssi and Mikronisi islands. Data were gathered from sediment samples taken during a baseline survey conducted between April 23rd and May 1st, 2023. A grid of eleven sampling stations was established around the two islands, covering water depths of roughly 10 to 30 meters, with samples collected using a Smith–McIntyre grab (0.1 m²). The sediments were predominantly coarse-to-medium and fine-to-very-fine sand, a characteristic linked to the intense hydrodynamic activity found on both the northern and southern sides of the islands. The resulting dataset offers an evaluation of soft-bottom macrobenthic community structure in the region, and forms part of a broader environmental baseline assessment conducted around Chryssi and Mikronisi islands under the project "Implementation of the Action Plan Measures for Chryssi Island," funded by the Region of Crete / Sub-Regional Unit of Lasithi.