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 comprise 19 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. Interactions were described as "contact" and "damage", the latter reffers to when physical damage to a benthic organism or the reef structure 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数据库为全球首个公开数据集，聚焦浅礁环境（水深<25米）中休闲潜水员的水下行为，及其与礁体景观和/或礁底栖固着生物（benthic sessile organisms）的交互行为。该数据集涵盖2004年至2023年共计19年的观测数据，累计观测了分布于9个国家19个潜水目的地、179个潜水点位的2312名休闲潜水员的行为。数据通过在潜水旅游活动期间，对潜水员的行为及其与礁体结构和/或底栖固着生物的物理交互开展现场观测采集所得。观测人员以隐蔽方式跟随潜水员，并在预设时段内记录其行为及与礁体的交互情况。交互行为被划分为“接触”与“损伤”两类，其中“损伤”指观测到对底栖生物或礁体结构造成的物理破坏。除行为数据外，观测人员还记录了以下信息：潜水活动类型（水肺潜水（scuba）或浮潜（snorkeling））、潜水员个人档案（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水点位的海洋保护现状。该数据集的使用无版权限制，但需引用本出版物。