The relative importance of independent variables in the final linear model.

The sum of squares and ΔR2 for each variable are reported for the final model. The variables were added one at a time until all were included, using the lowest AIC so that the best model was maintained at all times. Variables that reduced the model by at least 2 AIC (in addition to the first variable added) are highlighted in bold. Interactions (between the lines) that reduced the model by at least 2 AIC were then added in turn in the same way through forward selection. Each term (variable or interaction) has one degree of freedom. BW Temp is the 25-day (five 5-day periods) running mean in the bottom temperature of the Western box (see Figure 3). W-E Temp is the difference in the temperature of the bottom waters between the Western and Easter boxes (see Figure 3). Navy is the presence-absence of naval activity, with “No Known Activity” as the base category. The F-statistic in the final model is 5.978 on 16 (variable) and 39 (residual) degrees of freedom (p = 2.591e-06).