Table 7.

Functional indices and SPI biogeochemical parameters

Variable	EXP	SHL	Statistical test used	p-value
FRic	5.80 ± 0.36	8.44 ± 0.57	Linear mixed model	0.0007811*
FEve	0.49 ± 0.019	0.61 ± 0.014	Linear mixed model	7.083E−05*
FDiv	0.76 ± 0.019	1.44 ± 0.042	Kruskal-Wallis	0.00002*
RaoQ	0.39 ± 0.022	0.49 ± 0.036	Linear mixed model	0.02907*
BPc	118.32 ± 15.75	398.48 ± 89.25	Linear mixed model (log transformation)	0.006113*
RPD depth	44.87 ± 33.51	31.80 ± 26.67	3-way ANOVA (square root transformation)	0.285
RPD length	231.03 ± 52.16	289.38 ± 131.79	Kruskal-Wallis	0.298
BHQ	4.95 ± 1.19	7.55 ± 3.11	3-Way ANOVA	0.00241*

Mean values ± standard error for each area (exposed and sheltered), used statistical test and associated p-values

FRic functional richness, FEve functional evenness, FDiv functional divergence, RaoQ Rao’s quadratic entropy, BPc community bioturbation potential, BHQ benthic habitat quality index

*p < 0.05