Table 1.
Predictor variables used to determine the drivers of change in temperature, pH and salinity in east Australian estuaries.
| Predictor variable | Conceptual link and source of evidence | Type of predictor | Appropriate for analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days elapsed | Time since monitoring began28,57 | Time | Temperature, pH and salinity |
| Month of measurement | Intra-annual variability28 | Time | Temperature, pH and salinity |
| Retention factor | Ratio of estuary potential total volume to run-off volume17 | Geomorphology | Temperature, pH and salinity |
| Latitude of site (°S) | Regional climate cline3,28 | Geomorphology | Temperature, pH and salinity |
| Size of the catchment (km2) | Approximate freshwater input3 | Geomorphology | Salinity |
| Average depth (m) | Radiative heat exchange2,22,79 | Geomorphology | Temperature, pH and salinity |
| Total flush time of the estuary (days) | Seawater exchange3,17 | Geomorphology | Temperature, pH and salinity |
| Percentage of the estuary area covered by seagrass | Photosynthetic activity34 | Geomorphology | pH |
| Percent of catchment cleared (%) | Stream and catchment shading and heating of overland flow over cleared landscapes22 | Human disturbance | Temperature, pH and salinity |
| Percentage of the catchment urbanised | Urban heat22 | Human disturbance | Temperature |
| Proportional increase in nitrogen load | Changes to catchment land use17,57 | Human disturbance | Temperature, pH and salinity |