# Example ecological datasets 

CJ Brown 

All this data is free to use. Please provide appropriate attribution. References are in included in each dataset's readme file. 

Navigate to the readme files in the `data/` directory for information on datasets. 
Each folder contains a readme.md file with meta-data and attribution. 

Here's an example of how to import the data directly into an R session and save it locally:  

```
benthic_cover_url <- "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cbrown5/example-ecological-data/refs/heads/main/data/benthic-reefs-and-fish/benthic_cover.csv"

library(readr)
dat <- read_csv(benthic_cover_url)
write_csv(dat, "benthic_cover.csv")
```

## Directory structure

```
example-ecological-data/
├── data/
│   ├── algal-stressors/
│   │   ├── DIN_data.csv
│   │   ├── diuron_data.csv
│   │   └── readme.md
│   └── benthic-reefs-and-fish/
│       ├── benthic_cover.csv
│       ├── benthic_variables.csv
│       ├── fish-coral-cover-sites.csv
│       └── readme.md
├── scripts/
│   └── process-algal-data.R
├── LICENSE
└── readme.md
```

## Examples of use in teaching

I used the benthic data in my course on [predictive ecological modelling](https://www.seascapemodels.org/predictive-ecological-models/)

I have also used it in my workshop on [Quality R analysis with large language models](https://www.seascapemodels.org/R-llm-workshop/index.html)

I used a simplified version of the algal stressors data in my workshop [Introduction to structural causal modelling](https://www.seascapemodels.org/structural-causal-models-tutorial/scm-tute.html)

Here are direct links to download each dataset

**Benthic habitats and fish** 

- `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cbrown5/example-ecological-data/refs/heads/main/data/benthic-reefs-and-fish/benthic_cover.csv`

- `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cbrown5/example-ecological-data/refs/heads/main/data/benthic-reefs-and-fish/benthic_variables.csv`

- `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cbrown5/example-ecological-data/refs/heads/main/data/benthic-reefs-and-fish/fish-coral-cover-sites.csv`

**Algae stressors experiment** 

- `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cbrown5/example-ecological-data/refs/heads/main/data/algal-stressors/DIN_data.csv`

- `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cbrown5/example-ecological-data/refs/heads/main/data/algal-stressors/diuron_data.csv`


## TODO 

Add a spatial dataset, e.g. mangrove policies by nations or mangrove loss/fragmentation?