Data from: Farming damselfishes shape algal turf sediment dynamics on coral reefs

This data record contains data associated with the publication:Tebbett SB, Chase TJ, Bellwood DR (2020) Farming damselfishes shape algal turf sediment dynamics on coral reefs. Marine Environmental Research 160:104988. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104988In this study we used vacuum sampling to collect particulates/sediments trapped in algal turfs inside and outside of farming damselfish territories at Orpheus Island and Lizard Island on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Sampling was conducted on the shallow water (1-5 m below chart datum) habitat stretching from the crest to the mid-flat. The damselfish species examined were Stegastes lacrymatus (formely Plectroglyphididon lacrymatus), S. apicalis, and S. nigricans. Collected particulate samples were processed to yield total particulate mass, inorganic sediment mass, organic particulate mass, and the relative quantity of organic particulates by mass. In addition, algal turf length from the sampled area of turf was measured using the depth probe of vernier callipers. The CSV file in this dataset contains the raw data analysed in this paper, including the length of the algal turfs sampled (in mm), the dry mass (all in g m-2) of all particulates, inorganic sediments, and organic particulates in the algal turfs sampled, and the relative mass of organic particulates in the total particulate mass (proportion of mass).For full methodological details, please see the published manuscript (outlined above).