Increasing densities of Pacific crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) at Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef, resolved using a novel survey method

These data are associated with a 4 year study on the temporal variation of CoTS densities at a key site in the Northern Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island. This study trialled the utility of a novel survey technique; Scooter-assisted large area diver-based surveys or 'SALAD surveys' for detecting changes in CoTS densities, especially focusing on capturing the earliest changes that occur to low density CoTS. Data consists of density data for individual SALAD surveys (CoTS/ha) from sites arounf Lizard Island over 4 years, and additional information for each individual CoTS encountered i.e. body size.
R studio was used to analyse and present the data in this paper.