The effect of increasing duration of hypoxia on benthic parameters.

<p>(A) abundance (B) biomass (C) number of species (D) total number of trait modalities present (filled squares, primary y-axis, r^2 =0.93, p<0.001) and the average number of species within trait modalities (white circles, secondary y-axis, r^2 =0.86, p<0.001) and (E) the community bioturbation potential (BP_c). <i>Mya arenaria</i> is excluded from the biomass data. Non-linear regression curves were fitted to the plotted data (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0044920#pone.0044920.s005" target="_blank">Table S2</a>). For presentation, the x-axes are log (x + 1) transformed.</p

The effects of hypoxic stress on the behavior of <i>Macoma balthica</i>.

<p>(A) Number of stressed and/or dead <i>M. balthica</i> on the sediment surface with increasing duration of hypoxia. A nonlinear regression curve was fitted to the replicate values (r^2 =0.92, p<0.0001, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0044920#pone.0044920.s005" target="_blank">Table S2</a>). The dotted horizontal line represents the number of <i>M. balthica</i> found at depth in undisturbed sediments. (B) The reburial rate of <i>M. balthica</i> after 0, 3 and 7 days of hypoxia. 20 bivalves were included for each treatment (tested in the laboratory). The x-axes are log (x + 1) transformed.</p

Marginal test results from distance-based linear models (DISTLM) for variables predicting ecosystem function.

<p>Marginal test results from distance-based linear models (DISTLM) for variables predicting ecosystem function.</p

Ordinations illustrating changes in ecosystem functions as directed by the duration of hypoxia and the benthic community.

<p>In (A) all treatments are included, while (B) represents the 0, 3 and 7-day treatments. The vector overlays correspond to multiple partial correlations of the predictor variables with the dbRDA axes. Hypoxia depicts the duration of hypoxia (days) while S1–3 depicts the PCA scores used to represent the benthic community.</p

Analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) comparing benthic community abundance, biomass and trait composition between treatments (0, 3, 7 and 48 days of hypoxia).

<p>Analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) comparing benthic community abundance, biomass and trait composition between treatments (0, 3, 7 and 48 days of hypoxia).</p

Changes in sediment nutrient fluxes due to increasing duration of hypoxia.

<p>The graphs show the average flux (± SE, N = 4) of (A) O₂ (B) Si (C) NH₄⁺ (D) NO₃⁻ + NO₂⁻, (E) PO₄³⁻ and (F) Fe²⁺ for each treatment.</p

Data on biological trait groups

Data on benthic biological trait groupings along the SW Finnish coast. Numbers represent individuals per m-2

Appendix D. Disturbance-induced changes in the macrofaunal community.

Disturbance-induced changes in the macrofaunal community

Appendix A. Schematic presentation of the hypoxic disturbance.

Schematic presentation of the hypoxic disturbance

Appendix B. Description of sediment properties at the experiment site.

Description of sediment properties at the experiment site