Dataset of macrobenthic species in urban coastal reef environments in Brazilian northeast

This dataset presents the macrobenthic species occurrence frequency in four coastal intertidal reefs environment of Paraiba state Brazil. The species were classified in bioindicators groups based in morpho-anatomical, physiological and ecological characteristics. In the dry and wet season in each reef, the sampling units were randomly positioned and photographed inside a circular area with a 10 m radius. Thirty points were plotted over photos to quantify the percentage of species occurrence frequency. Taxons hard to identify by photo were grouped in a unique category. Currently, macrobenthic species are used as bioindicators of the local state of conservation by managing agencies. The population ecology monitoring of macrobenthic species with bioindicator potential is useful to recognize seasonal environmental patterns or local anthropic impactful. The research article on these data [1] will be published in the journal Ocean and Coastal Management for some interpretive insights. Title: Evaluation of the conservation status and monitoring proposal for the coastal reefs of Paraíba, Brazil: bioindication as an environmental management tool.