In-situ benthic cover data in marine ecosystems of the Mexican Caribbean

This dataset (in Excel format) represents in-situ information on the percentage of benthic cover collected at 714 stations. Seven field campaigns were conducted (2010-2016), in shallow waters (up to 25 m depth) along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, from Cabo Catoche to Xcalak, as part of the Mesoamerican Reef System. The biotopes of reef lagoon, back reef, reef crest, rocky terrace, and the spur and grooves of the fore reef, were studied. The percentages of benthic cover were estimated through visual surveys and the use of underwater photographs for later analysis in the laboratory, establishing 12 classification categories. The data obtained have been used as a reference for the calibration of benthic cover classifications derived from the processing of 23 WorldView-2 satellite images (2009-2015).