Data describing post-recruit (adult) fish assemblages and the abundance of recruiting cryptobenthic species associated with 28 artificial reefs of different sizes and supporting different densities of transplanted kelp (Ecklonia radiata) off the west coast of Maria island. Adult assemblages were assessed using diver-based visual surveys conducted at three times (early: spring 2015, middle: autumn: 2016, late: spring 2016). At each time, 2 surveys were conducted, and the results were averaged. Recruiting cryptobenthic fishes were assessed using SMURF (standard Monitoring Units for the Recruitment of Fishes) collectors that were deployed for a six-week period in the centre of each reef on four consecutive occasions (November 2015 to March 2016).

Data describing post-recruit (adult) fish assemblages and the abundance of recruiting cryptobenthic species associated with 28 artificial reefs of different sizes and supporting different densities of transplanted kelp (Ecklonia radiata) off the west coast of Maria island. Adult assemblages were assessed using diver-based visual surveys conducted at three times (early: spring 2015, middle: autumn: 2016, late: spring 2016). At each time, 2 surveys were conducted, and the results were averaged. Recruiting cryptobenthic fishes were assessed using SMURF (standard Monitoring Units for the Recruitment of Fishes) collectors that were deployed for a six-week period in the centre of each reef on four consecutive occasions (November 2015 to March 2016).

This study was carried out at Davies Reef in the central Great Barrier Reef region, and measured for algal biomass and primary productivity and compared to surrounding epilithic algal communities. At Davies Reef the distribution and comparative cover of damselfish territories were examined in detail. Three automatic data-logging respirometers were deployed for 24 h in the field to measure productivity parameters - light (as irradiance, Li-cor), temperature and oxygen concentration at intervals of 1 to 255 min. Primary productivity was estimated from diel patterns in oxygen flux using data from: photosynthesis-irradiance relation (Ik, Icomp and alpha); rates of photosynthesis (P) and respiration (R); primary productivity expressed as the area1 gross (Pg) and net (Pna) rates and as the net turnover (Pnb) of community biomass (B, g C m-¹). These results were compared to the parameters: damselfish species (Plectroglyphididon lacrymatus, Stegastes apicalis, S.fasciolatus, S. nigricans); reef location; date; inside/outside fish territories. At Davies Reef two experiments examined damselfish territoriality impacts on algae in detail. Algal productivity inside and adjacent to the territories of 2 species was measured using square blocks (8 x 8 x 2 cm) of Porites which had been attached to the respective reef substrata for a period of 12 months prior. In the second experiment, coral blocks with established algal covering from non-territory substrata were caged with wire mesh to exclude all large grazers for 30 d, then the productivity of the increased algal biomass on these blocks was measured by respirometry, uncaged blocks were measured at the same time. The surface area of Acropora sp. branches was calculated. Algal biomass was determined by drying coral rock samples at 60°C and scraping the surface to a depth of 2 mm. Scrapings were ground, redried, and then analysed for total organic carbon. Four major substratum categories were surveyed: fish territories with dense mats of turf algae; closely-cropped filamentous and encrusting coralline algae; bare sand; organisms other than algae. Fourteen sites were established along each of three sections of Davies Reef (northern, central and southern): front reef slope at depths of 10 (#l) and 5 m (#2); reef crest (#3); reef flat at 20 (#4), 60 (#5), 80 (#6), 110 (#7) and 145 m (#8) behind the crest; reef flat at lagoon edge (#9, 190 m from the crest); lagoon slope at 5 m (#10) and 10 m (#11) depths; back reef flat (#12); and back reef slope at 5 m (#13) and 10 m (#14) depths. At each of these sites, a 100 m tape transect was surveyed perpendicular to the section lines and the length of intercept to the nearest 1 cm for each major substratum category and damselfish territory was recorded. The aims of this study were to: To quantify differences in reef epilithic algal community metabolism. To assess the significance of these in the context of total reef primary productivity. Epilithic algal communities include coralline algae, turf algae (filamentous forms and thick turfs), corallines mixed with short turf.

EcoRRAP oceanographic logger data. Data collected to provide explanatory information for ecological datasets, and for model parameterisation. At the main reef per cluster (e.g. Masig Island, Lizard Island, Moore Reef, Pelorus Island, Davies Reef, Keppel Islands, Heron Island) an array of loggers were deployed at one of the front deep sites. These loggers measured salinity, temperature, depth, light and currents (current profiles and surface waves) and were deployed for 12 months at a time. A wave buoy was also deployed adjacent to the instrument array. Temperature sensors and current meters were further deployed at many other monitoring sites. Deployment details are described in the logger deployment database.

The abundance of macroinvertebrates associated with 28 experimental artificial reefs supporting different patch sizes and density of kelp (Ecklonia radiata) off Maria Island, Tasmania. Macroinvertebrates were assessed by diver-based visual census conducted between November 2015 and December 2016. This data was collected to examine how the patch size and density of kelp influences the establishment of macroinvertebrate assemblages.

As part of Rapid Ecological Assessments (REA), Twelve quadrats were sampled along 2 consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines, conducted at 6 sites at Tinian Island in the Marianas Archipelago from 3 September - 1 October 2005, aboard the NOAA ship Oscar Elton Sette, during the Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise OES0511. Raw survey data included genus presence and relative abundance, and voucher specimens. Detailed taxonomic analyses of voucher specimens are presented.

The territories of herbivorous damselfish from two coral reefs in the central Great Barrier Reef (Davies Reef and Myrmidon Reef) and a fringing reef in Papua New Guinea (Motupore Island) were measured for algal biomass and primary productivity and compared to surrounding epilithic algal communities. Three automatic data-logging respirometers were deployed for periods of 24 hours in the field to measure productivity parameters, light (as irradiance, Li-cor), temperature and oxygen concentration at 1 minute intervals. Primary productivity was estimated from diel patterns in oxygen flux using data from: photosynthesis-irradiance relation (Ik, Icomp and alpha); rates of photosynthesis (P) and respiration (R); primary productivity expressed as the area1 gross (Pg) and net (Pna) rates and as the net turnover (Pnb) of community biomass (B, g C m-¹). These results were compared to the parameters: damselfish species; reef location; date; inside/outside fish territories.Algal productivity inside and adjacent to the territories of Stegastes fasciolatus at Myrmidon Reef and Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus at Motopure Island was measured using square blocks (8 x 8 x 2 cm) of Porites which had been attached to the respective reef substrata for a period of 12 months prior to measurement. At Davies Reef, coral blocks with established algal covering from non-territory substrata were caged with wire mesh to exclude all large grazers for 30 days, then the productivity of the increased algal biomass on these blocks was measured by respirometry, uncaged blocks were measured at the same time. The surface area of Acropora sp. branches was calculated. Algal biomass was determined by drying coral rock samples at 60°C and scraping the surface to a depth of 2 mm. Scrapings were ground, redried, and then analysed for total organic carbon.Surveys of algal community distribution were carried out in May 1986 across the northern, central and southern sections of Davies Reef, from the front reef slope to the back reef slope. Up to 14 sites were established along each of these sections. At each of these sites, a 100 m tape transect was surveyed perpendicular to the section lines and the length of intercept to the nearest 1 cm for each major substratum category and damselfish territory was recorded. Four major substratum categories were surveyed: fish territories with dense mats of turf algae; closely-cropped filamentous and encrusting coralline algae; bare sand; organisms other than algae. This research was initiated to:1. quantify differences in reef epilithic algal community metabolism within and outside damselfish territories.2. assess the significance of these differences in the context of total reef primary productivity. Epilithic algal communities include coralline algae, turf algae (filamentous forms and thick turfs), corallines mixed with short turf.