BulkDNA macrobenthos from sandextraction sites in the Belgian part of the North Sea

On each sandbank, macrobenthos was collected by means of a VanVeen grab with a sampled surface area of 0.1 m2, both within the impact areas (subjected to extraction activity) and in nearby reference areas (where no extraction has taken place). In 2019, a total of 78 locations were sampled, and in 2021, 65 locations on the three different sandbanks were sampled. Sampling was performed in September, October or November using different research vessels (RV Belgica 1965, RV Simon Stevin, GeoSurveyor XI or Geo Ocean V). Each sample was sieved alive over a 1-mm sieve, and the residue with the species was preserved in absolute ethanol and stored at -20 ◦C. All samples were decanted 10 times using tap water and a 1 mm sieve in the lab. The specimens on the sieve were stored in absolute ethanol until lab processing.