These data were published in Davenport et al., 2022 (Restoration Ecology). All figure numbers mentioned refer to Davenport et al., 2022 (Restoration Ecology).

To compare reef-associated community colonization among oyster reef and sand habitats, we deployed experimental sampling trays assigned to four treatments in Quonochontaug Pond, Rhode Island, USA (41.3 N, 71.7 W). Sampling trays (plastic bakery trays, 0.66 meters L x 0.56 meters W x 0.14 meters H) were lined with fiberglass window screen (1-millimeter mesh opening). For the reef edge, reef interior, and shell treatments, trays were filled with five gallons of clean, articulated oyster shell from a shell recycling program run by The Nature Conservancy. For the sand treatment, the sampling trays were lined as before but filled with ten gallons of locally-sourced sand that was sieved to remove live organisms. Reef edge treatments of a single tray filled with shell were placed abutting each reef at a position randomized by cardinal direction (Fig. S3). Reef interior treatments of a single tray filled with shell were placed at the innermost point on each reef (Fig. S3). Shell and sand treatments of a single tray filled with shell or sand, respectively, were placed in each control plot (Fig. S3). Trays were deployed by divers on SCUBA on July 10, 2018 (summer) and September 7, 2018 (fall) and were leveled with surrounding substrate by carefully excavating the surrounding reef material (interior treatment) or sediment (edge, shell, and sand treatments).

After 28-29 days, divers collected the trays by carefully lifting them off the substrate and noting any organisms that escaped during retrieval. Divers brought the trays to the boat where fish were removed and euthanized in a eugenol/seawater solution before they were bagged and all tray contents placed in coolers. Tray contents were rinsed, sieved and sorted and all individuals were removed and stored in 10% isopropyl alcohol. Individuals were enumerated and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic group, measured, and weighed (wet weight in grams). Trays were rinsed and allowed to dry fully between deployments. Two trays were upturned during the fall deployment (block 1 reef interior; block 3 reef interior), leading to 24 trays sampled in summer and 22 trays in fall.

Measurements are total length to the nearest 1 millimeter (mm) for fishes, carapace width to nearest 0.1 mm for crabs, carapace length to nearest 0.1 mm for shrimps, shell height to nearest 0.1 mm for snails, and shell length to the nearest 0.1 mm for slipper shells. Fish measurements were determined with a metric ruler. All other organisms were measured with Vernier calipers. For species found at high densities, a subset (up to 20 individuals per species per sample) was weighed individually, after which organisms were weighed in bulk by species. Polychaetes were not measured, were weighed in bulk, and were only counted if heads were present.

Tray contents were rinsed with fresh water over a 1-mm sieve and stored in 10% isopropyl alcohol for approximately 1-6 months prior to identification and size and biomass measurements.