Dataset: eDNA data on plankton composition from waters collected near study sites along the rocky intertidal on the Oregon coast in 2023

Collection and analysis of "live" (unprocessed) water samples and separate preserved water samples for assessment of potential toxin-producing phytoplankton was done monthly. Samples were processed by Dr. Eli Meyer of Aquabiomics Inc. (Junction City, OR), by Dr. Ralph Elston of Aquatechnics (Carlsborg, WA), by Dr. Maria Kavanaugh of OSU's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (Seascape Ecology Lab), and Dr. Manuel Garcia-Jaramillo in the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology at OSU.

For eDNA, we collected bottle samples in the field at sites FC, BB, YB, and SH to determine if toxic planktonic taxa were present. One set of samples was filtered through MCE (mixed cellulose ester) filters to capture particles for assessment of eDNA (environmental DNA). Three replicate filters were collected at each site in August, September, and October 2023. Filters were sent to Dr. Meyer for processing.

Dataset rows/columns: files were provided for samples collected in August, September, and October (processed in September, October, and November, respectively). Each row is the number of eDNA hits for a specific taxon for each site, Fogarty Creek (FC) Boiler Bay (BB) Yachats Beach (YB) and Strawberry Hill (SH). Site/column numbers indicate number of hits in each of three replicate bottle samples.

Each measurement was generated using eDNA methods.