# Where, when, and how FAIR do data from aquatic mesocosm experiments get published?

## TL;DR

This study examines how data from aquatic mesocosm experiments are published, finding that most data are shared with papers and that data transparency is relatively high.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into data publication practices and FAIR compliance in aquatic mesocosm research.

## Key findings

- More datasets were published with scientific papers (103) than in standalone repositories (17).
- Time lags between experiments and data or paper publication were similar (34.9 vs. 36.7 months).
- 32.6% of papers achieved the highest FAIR scores, indicating strong data transparency.

## Abstract

We analyzed 192 publications from two EU projects focused on aquatic mesocosm facilities for a) the number of data publications in a repository on its own and the number of data publications associated with a scientific paper, b) the time lag between mesocosm experiments and data or paper publication, and c) adherence of scientific papers to FAIR principles of data publication. More data sets were published alongside scientific papers (103) than in a data repository alone (17). The time lag between experimental end to paper publication (34.9 months) was not significantly different from the time lag between experimental end to data publication (36.7 months). Regarding FAIR principles, 32.6% of papers achieved the highest scores (7 or 8), emphasizing a high data transparency relative to other disciplines. To improve data publications, we recommend increased support (especially for interoperability) for and recognition of researchers, as well as increased efforts by journals, repositories, and funders.