DiverReef: A global database of the behavior of recreational divers and their interactions with the reef

The DiverReef database provides the first public dataset on the underwater behavior of recreational divers in shallow reef environments (< 25 m depth) globally and their interactions with the reef seascape and/or reef benthic sessile organisms. The dataset comprises 20 years of data (2004-2023) by observing the behavior of 2312 recreational divers in 9 countries at 19 diving destinations and 179 diving sites. The data were collected through on-site observation of divers' behavior during tourism activities and their physical interactions with the reef structure and/or benthic reef sessile organisms. Observers discretely followed divers and recorded their behavior and interactions with the reef over set time periods. The interaction was categorized as "contact" or "damage", the latter occurring when physical damage to the reef benthos was observed. Besides behavior, observers also recorded data on the type of diving activity (scuba or snorkeling), profiles of the divers (gender and experience), use of cameras by the divers, visibility, type of reef formation, and marine protection status of the dive site. No copyright restrictions apply to the use of this data set, other than citing this publicationDiverReef数据库提供了全球首个面向浅礁环境（水深小于25米）的公开数据集，记录了休闲潜水员的水下行为，及其与礁体景观和/或礁栖底栖固着生物的交互情况。该数据集涵盖2004至2023年共计20年的观测数据，累计对9个国家19个潜水目的地、179处潜点的2312名休闲潜水员的行为开展了观测。数据通过现场观测潜水员在旅游活动中的行为，以及其与礁体结构和/或礁栖底栖固着生物的实体交互情况采集获取。观察员以隐蔽跟随的方式，在预设时段内记录潜水员的行为及其与礁体的交互情况。交互行为被划分为"接触"与"损伤"两类，其中"损伤"指观测到礁栖底栖生物遭受实体损伤的情形。除行为数据外，观察员还记录了以下信息：潜水活动类型（水肺潜水或浮潜）、潜水员个人背景（性别与潜水经验）、潜水员是否使用摄影设备、水体能见度、礁体构造类型，以及潜点的海洋保护状况。本数据集的使用无版权限制，但需引用本研究成果。