Processed acoustic dataset for "Understanding spatial heterogeneity of rocky reef demersal fish assemblages: links to conservation plans in the Juan Fernández Archipelago Marine Protected Area in the Southeastern Pacific"

<p dir="ltr">Processed acoustic dataset supporting the research article "Understanding spatial heterogeneity of rocky reef demersal fish assemblages: links to conservation plans in the Juan Fernández Archipelago Marine Protected Area in the Southeastern Pacific" published in PLOS ONE (PONE-D-23-35746R2).</p><p dir="ltr">This dataset comprises hydroacoustic survey data collected around the marine shelf of Robinson Crusoe and Santa Clara islands within the Juan Fernández Archipelago across two sampling campaigns:</p><p dir="ltr">• 2015 Hydroacoustic Survey (Nov 6–9, 2015): Conducted using SIMRAD EK60 split-beam echosounders operating at 38 kHz (ES38–B) and 120 kHz (ES120–7C) transducers (Kongsberg Simrad AS, Kongsberg, Norway) using a zig-zag transect design. • 2016 Hydroacoustic Survey (Oct 6–12, 2016): Conducted using a 38 kHz echosounder (ES38–10 transducer model) using a quasi-parallel transect design.</p><p dir="ltr">Acoustic data were processed using Echoview® software (v8.0.105) and integrated at the Elementary Distance Sampling Unit (EDSU) level across five distinct geographic zones defined by local ecological knowledge and coastal exposure.</p><p dir="ltr">Files Included:</p><ol><li>Processed_data.csv: The processed EDSU-level matrix containing spatial, acoustic, bathymetric, and reef structural variables used for statistical analysis and modeling.

The dataset includes:</li></ol><ul><li>Spatial & Temporal Metadata: Sampling interval/EDSU identifier, campaign year/season, survey date, island zone, transect ID, and geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude of EDSU midpoints).</li><li>Acoustic Metrics: Fish aggregation presence/absence, backscatter integration values, and acoustic target strength/density estimates.</li><li>Bathymetry & Seabed Topography: Seafloor depth (bathymetric and measured depth) and interval distance.</li><li>Rocky Reef Features: Reef presence/absence, mean reef height, horizontal extension/length, and acoustic reef dimensions.</li></ul><p></p>