A microbe taxa list dataset and template to assess the ecological status of marine sediments and waters

Microbes have usually been neglected as indicators to assess the ecological status, under multiple human pressures. Some years ago, a biotic index (microgAMBI) was proposed to assess the status of marine sediments and waters, and it has been tested under different pressures and biogeographical areas. The index is based on the assignation of each taxon to an ecological group (sensitive or not to disturbance), and this list has grown since the first publication. Because the increasing use of the index, it could be wise to make available the calculation template and the updated taxa list (1,969 taxa currently), meeting the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) principles. This manuscript describes the dataset and template.