Table 2. Results of multiple linear regression using Akaike Information Criteria (AIC_c), assessing factors that may explain patterns in macroalgal cover or juvenile coral abundance. A positive estimate for a model term indicates a positive correlation bewteeen macroalgae or corals and that model term; a negative estimate indicates a negative correlation bewteeen macroalgae or corals and that model term.

Macroalgal cover – Model terms (estimate)	r2	AICc	ΔAICc
Log nitrogen excretion (10.84)	0.83	85.51	0
Log parrotfish biomass (−12.98)
Log phosphorus excretion (9.09)	0.79	88.25	2.74
Log parrotfish biomass (−13.18)
Log nitrogen excretion (9.76)	0.46	94.84	9.33
Log phosphorus excretion (7.99)	0.41	95.97	10.46
Log parrotfish biomass (−10.99)	0.27	98.58	13.07
Juvenile coral abundance - Model terms (estimate)	r2	AICc	ΔAICc
Log nitrogen excretion (−1.15)	0.76	44.23	0
Log coral cover (1.11)
Log phosphorus excretion (−0.94)	0.75	44.82	0.59
Log coral cover (1.35)
Log nitrogen excretion (−1.51)	0.50	48.16	3.93
Log coral cover (1.46)	0.49	48.42	4.19
Log phosphorus excretion (−1.06)	0.33	51.71	7.48