Dataset: Video Plankton Recorder data from R/V Columbus Iselin and R/V Endeavor in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank from 1994-1995 (GB project)

This dataset was derived from the VPR_ashjian_orig dataset. In the 'nonzero' dataset, values of 0 in the abund_L column (taxon abundance) have been removed in order to allow the dataset to be mapped.

Methodology
The following information was extracted from C.J. Ashjian et al., Deep- Sea Research II 48(2001) 245-282 . An in-depth discussion of the data and sampling methods can be found there.

The Video Plankton Recorder was towed at 2 m/s, collecting data from the surface to the bottom (towyo). The VPR was equipped with 2-4 cameras, temperature and conductivity probes, fluorometer and transmissometer. Environmental data was collected at 0.25 Hz (CI9407) or 0.5 Hz (EN259, EN262). Video images were recorded at 60 fields per second (fps).

Video tapes were analyzed for plankton abundances using a semi-automated method discussed in Davis, C.S. et al., Deep-Sea Research II 43 (1996) 1946-1970. In-focus images were extracted from the video tapes and identified by hand to particle type, taxon, or species. Plankton and particle observations were merged with environmental and navigational data by binning the observations for each category into the time intervals at which the environmental data were collected (again see above Davis citation). Concentrations were calculated utilizing the total volume (liters) imaged during that period. For less-abundant categories, usually only a single organism was observed during each time interval so that the resulting concentrations are close to presence or absence data rather than covering a range of values.