Data from: The limited role of herbivorous fishes and turf-based trophic pathways in the functioning of turbid coral reefs

This data record contains data associated with the publication:Tebbett SB, Bellwood DR, Bassett T, Cuttler MVW, Moustaka M, Wilson SK, Yan HF, Evans RD (2024) The limited role of herbivorous fishes and turf-based trophic pathways in the functioning of turbid coral reefs. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 34:439-460. doi: 10.1007/s11160-023-09823-1In this study we examined herbivorous fishes and the nature of algal turfs (i.e. the epilithic algal matrix [EAM]) on turbid coral reefs across the Dampier Archipelago in northern Western Australia. The data analysed in this study included broad scale surveys (n = 30 sites) of herbivorous fish abundance in relation to long-term mean KD490 (i.e. a satellite-derived measure of turbidity). These broad scale data were collected using diver-operated underwater stereo video (stereo-DOV) or underwater visual census (UVC) on 30 or 50 m transects. Detailed quantification of the herbivorous fish community, including size estimation, was conducted at nine of these sites and were based on size stratified 30 m UVC transects. The nature of the EAM was quantified at seven sites (with algal turf length measurements at two additional sites). Four traits were quantified for the EAM (turf length, accumulated inorganic sediment load, percent of organic matter in total particulate load, and turf filament cover/density). Turf length was measured directly using callipers, while inorganic sediment load and particulate loads were quantified via vacuum sampling. Turf filament cover/density was based on photographs taken of the sampled area of EAM. For each photograph, 30 randomly stratified points were overlaid in the software photoQuad, and the presence of turf under each point was recorded. All data are based on shallow reef areas (generally ~1-3 m). Three CSV files are associated with this dataset. CSV File 1 contains the raw broad scale herbivorous fish abundance data and associated KD490 estimates. CSV File 2 contains the raw UVC data of herbivorous fish abundance and size estimates. CSV File 3 contains the EAM trait data (including turf length [mm], inorganic sediment mass [g m^-2], relative organic matter load [%], turf filament cover/density [point count data]) as well as associated environmental variables (mean hydrodynamic velocity, mean significant wave height, and KD490).For full methodological details please see the published manuscript and associated supporting information (outlined above).