Reef Life Survey: Global Cryptic Fish and Invertebrate Abundance

Reef Life Survey employs a global network of trained recreational SCUBA divers to conduct standardized underwater visual census surveys. This dataset specifically captures cryptic fish and invertebrate species abundance and habitat data using photo quadrats. The data has been superseded by a synthesized global collection from the National Reef Monitoring Network.

Use Cases

• Modeling global cryptobenthic fish biodiversity based on standardized visual census data
• Analyzing habitat associations for cryptic species based on photo quadrat records
• Monitoring long-term changes in inshore marine environments based on diver survey time series

Strengths

• Data collection uses standardized underwater visual census methods for consistency
• Surveys are conducted by a global network of trained recreational divers, enabling wide-scale assessment

Limitations

• This specific dataset is superseded; users are directed to a newer, synthesized global collection
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count and sample size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Standardized underwater visual census by trained SCUBA divers using photo quadrats

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-11 20:26:29.858034; freshness should be verified

Geography

Global inshore marine environments