An integrated individual-level trait-based phytoplankton dataset from transitional waters.

Functional trait-based approaches have undergone an extraordinary expansion in phytoplankton ecology. Morpho-functional traits have been shown to vary both within and between populations and species, potentially affecting individual fitness and the network of inter-individual relationships. Here we integrate six fully harmonized phytoplankton morpho-functional trait datasets, characterized by a fine data grain, reporting individual-level data over a large biogeographical area.