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dbfishR: An R package for fish and water quality data access and entry
Matthew J Wilson1, Sara A Ashcraft1, Mark A Kirk2
1Susquehanna University, 514 University Ave., Selinsgrove PA, 17870, United States.
Data in Brief
|August 15, 2026
Summary
The dbfishR package provides access to Pennsylvania stream data, standardizing collection for water quality and fish populations. This tool facilitates data sharing and future aquatic research globally.
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Aquatic ecology
- Data science
Background:
- Pennsylvania's Unassessed Waters Initiative samples fish and water quality in headwater streams.
- Data collection spans 1491 stream sites from 2010-2025.
- Standardization is needed for collaborative aquatic research.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce the dbfishR R package and its companion database.
- Facilitate data access, standardization, and collaboration for aquatic research.
- Enable future data contributions and global adaptability.
Main Methods:
- Developed the dbfishR R package for accessing a relational database.
- Created a standardized database template for water quality, discharge, metadata, and fish data.
- Implemented structured forms with value limits for data quality control.
Main Results:
- dbfishR provides tidy data import for analysis and comparison.
- The database template supports efficient data entry and standardization.
- The package and database are expandable for diverse aquatic research.
Conclusions:
- dbfishR offers accessible data for Pennsylvania's Unassessed Waters Initiative.
- The package and database promote data standardization and collaboration.
- The system is adaptable for global aquatic data curation and research.
