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benthos (version 1.3-8)

read_iti: Read and Validate Infaunal Trophic Index Files

Description

This function reads and checks files containing Infaunal Trophic Index (ITI) data (Gittenberger & Van Loon, 2013)

Usage

read_iti(filename)
validate_iti(.data)

Value

A data frame with columns TAXON containing taxa and

GROUP containing user-defined ITI-groups (see Gittenberger & Van Loon, 2013).

Arguments

filename

name of the ITI file (character).

.data

table in ITI-format

Functions

  • validate_iti(): validator for ITI-format

Details

The function performs the following tasks:

  • checks the existence of filename;

  • checks availablitity of required columns (case insensitive), i.e., TAXON and GROUP;

  • removes redundant spaces;

  • removes duplicated records.

  • checks if all ITI classes are I, II, III, or IV

The column 'GROUP' contains the Roman numerals I, II, III, and IV, with the following meaning:

  • I: suspension feeders;

  • II: interface feeders;

  • III: surface deposit feeders;

  • IV: subsurface deposit feeders.

References

Gittenberger A. and W. van Loon, 2013. Sensitivities of marine macrozoobenthos to environmental pressures in the Netherlands. Nederlandse Faunistische Mededelingen 41: 79-112.