Coral reef benthic and fish monitoring data from Turneffe Atoll, Belize, 2010-2023

Coral reefs are crucial centres of biodiversity, sustaining diverse marine
species and providing ecosystem services to coastal communities.
Monitoring coral reefs allows us to assess how the reefs are changing over
time, discerning the potential impact of environmental changes, human
activities, and climate events on their health and biodiversity. 
Here, we present a collection of data obtained through methodologies from
the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Systems Synoptic Monitoring Program (MBRS
SMP) and Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) protocols,
including data of benthic point-intercept and invertebrate surveys, coral
community characterizations, and reef fish surveys. The dataset
encompasses observations spanning the years 2010 to 2023 within Turneffe
Atoll Marine Reserve, Belize. By publishing this dataset, we aim to
provide a resource for research endeavours related to coral reef dynamics
and broader ecological trends. Use of this monitoring data supports the
evolution of Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve as a Marine Protected Area,
contributing to informed decision-making and management strategies for the
conservation of this vital ecosystem.