Dataset of octocoral assemblages in fore reefs in the northwestern region of Cuba

Data were collected through square frames of 1 m side that was used as sampling unit, and they were positioned 10 m depht on the rocky-coral substrate by a random-systematic design. In each square frame, colonies number by octocorals species in thirteen fore reefs in the period 2008-2015 was counted to determine the composition, richness and abundance (expressed as density) of octocorals. Data can be used in meta-analysis studies on spatial variations of the structure of octocoral assemblages either by local factors (related to anthropogenic activities) and regional (related to climate variability) in the Caribbean Sea, and in experiments on the tolerance thresholds of zooxanthellate octocorals to specific pollutants.

数据采集通过边长为1米的正方形框架完成，该框架作为采样单元，并通过随机系统设计将其置于岩石珊瑚基质上，深度为10米。在每个正方形框架内，对2008-2015年间十三处前礁的八放珊瑚种类群落数量进行计数，以确定八放珊瑚的组成、丰富度和丰度（以密度表示）。这些数据可用于对加勒比海区域八放珊瑚群落结构空间变化的元分析研究，无论是与人类活动相关的地方因素还是与气候变化相关的区域因素，以及用于研究 zooxanthellate 八放珊瑚对特定污染物的耐受阈值实验。