Data from: Drivers of coastal benthic communities in a complex environmental setting

Analyzing the environmental factors affecting benthic communities in
coastal areas is crucial for uncovering key factors that require
conservation action. Here, we collected benthic and environmental
(physical-chemical-historical and land-based) data for 433
transects in Taiwan. Using a k-means approach, five communities
dominated by crustose coralline algae, turfs, stony corals,
digitate, or bushy octocorals were first delineated.
Conditional random forest models then identified physical,
chemical, and land-based factors (e.g., light intensity, nitrite,
and population density) relevant to community delineation and
occurrence. Historical factors, including typhoons and
temperature anomalies, had only little effect. The prevalent turf
community correlated positively with chemical and land-based
drivers, which suggests that anthropogenic impacts are causing a benthic
homogenization. This mechanism may mask the effects of climate
disturbances and regional differentiation of benthic assemblages.
Consequently, management of nutrient enrichment and terrestrial runoff is
urgently needed to improve community resilience in Taiwan amidst
increasing challenges of climate change.