Topography data (rugosity, surface normals, surface area) and marine biological data (fucoid macroalgae, limpets, barnacles) obtained from 3D scans and biological surveys across natural and artificial intertidal structures along the Plymouth Hoe foreshore, UK (January - February 2023).

This dataset contains topographic (rugosity, surface normals, surface area) and marine biological data (fucoid macroalgae, limpets, barnacles) obtained from 3D scans and biological surveys across natural and artificial intertidal structures along the Plymouth Hoe foreshore, Devon, UK. Data were obtained by Franz Bauer (University of Plymouth) between January - February 2023 through in-situ 3D scanning and biological surveys across 50 sites within the Plymouth Hoe intertidal zone (2-4 m above chart datum). These data were collected to understand the topographic properties that underpin the abundance and spatial distribution of ecosystem-engineering species. Substratum topography within each sampling quadrat were 3D scanned using the Revopoint POP2 3D Scanner, operated through the Revo Scan software. 3D scans were exported and analysed using open-source software programmes: Cloud Compare (rugosity and surface normals) and Meshlab (surface area). Biological data were obtained directly in the field through observational surveys. These data were generated as part of the PhD project titled "Retrospective optimisation of multifunctionality on coastal urban infrastructure", funded by the Natural Environment Research Council ARIES Doctoral Training Partnership (grant number NE/S007334/1), University of Plymouth and Arup. For further information, please see the associated research paper: doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173519.