Algae, and Seagrass Coverage Relative to Presence of Sargassum in a Seagrass Meadow within Crandon Park, Florida, USA, March 2024 – March 2025

This package contains data on percent coverage of sargassum, seagrass, and algae recorded along 3 transects extending from the shoreline of Crandon Park, Florida from 2024-03-07 to 2025-03-26 as part of the Coastal Ecosystem-Research Experience for Teachers (CE-BIORETS) program. The data also include epiphyte-cover scores and water visibility, temperature, and salinity values. We placed a m^2 quadrat on the seafloor at 5-meter intervals along three 50-meter transects extending from the shoreline. We then recorded percent coverage of seagrass, algae, and sargassum taxa (to genus or species) and the epiphyte load within the quadrat. We also recorded water visibility, temperature, and salinity at the water surface along the transect. We collected these data to investigate the impact sargassum has on native seagrass meadows. Data collection for this project is complete