Habitat data from underwater visual census surveys in Fiji

The data file comprises mean habitat descriptors for 7 sites in each of 10 adjoining coral reef areas spanning the western coast coast of Kadavu Island, Fiji. The habitat descriptors are percentage cover of living corals, rock, sand and rubble, a measure of habitat complexity and depth. These data were collected during one phase of a larger study of reef fish community structure, fisheries and fishing impacts in Fiji. Fish census data were collected at the same time as the habitat data and are provided as a separate file. Data collection is described in detail by Jennings, S. and Polunin, N.V.C. (1997) “Impacts of predator depletion by fishing on the biomass and diversity of non-target reef fish communities” (Coral Reefs, 16, 71-82). Additional descriptions of the data structure and data collection process are provided in the accompanying "readme" file.