Data underlying the publication: Boosting efficiency of mussel seed collection for ecological sustainability: identifying critical drivers and informing management

Summary

In this study, our objective is to examine the variability of SMCs (suspended mussel spat collectors) efficiency under different habitat conditions and management options. Specifically, we dedicated to address the following key research questions (KRQ): 1) Is SMCs efficiency consistent across time and space? 2) Does SMCs efficiency rely on biotic drivers in response to mussel life cycle, such as larval abundance and spat settlement? 3) Are there critical drivers that would improve the predictability of SMCs efficiency? 4) How does SMCs efficiency change with potential management strategies targeting identified critical drivers? Adopting the Dutch Wadden Sea as a model system, we first addressed KRQ_1 by investigating the deployment and harvesting of SMCs in this region over an 11-year period. Secondly, KRQ_2 was validated through a four-year experiment at four representative sites. Thirdly, we utilized machine learning algorithms on an integrated 11-year dataset to identify dominant factors affecting SMCs efficiency and develop a predictive model, addressing KRQ_3. Finally, KRQ_4 was addressed by conducting model experiments that evaluated the sensitivity of SMCs efficiency to critical factors.