Data and codes for: Macrophytes and Environmental Drivers in Transitional Waters: A 13-Year Assessment Integrating MaQI and Multivariate Analyses

Transitional water bodies are highly dynamic ecosystems where macrophyte communities integrate environmental variability over space and time. This study assessed macrophyte assemblages, ecological status (MaQI), and physical and chemical conditions across eleven Mediterranean transitional water bodies over a 13-year monitoring period (Apulian region, Southern Italy). Macrophyte diversity showed marked spatial heterogeneity, ranging from species-rich, marine-influenced basins to shallow, nutrient-enriched systems dominated by opportunistic taxa. Multivariate analyses (PCA and CCA) identified salinity, depth, temperature, and nutrient conditions as major drivers of macrophyte distribution, although ecological status exhibited only weak alignment with these gradients. Temporal trajectories of MaQI revealed overall stability at the regional scale but pronounced basin-specific variability, with persistent high status in Porto Cesareo and recent declines in Lesina (LE01). These findings highlight the strong environmental differentiation among basins and emphasise the value of integrating macrophyte-based indices with multivariate ecological analyses to improve ecological assessment and support adaptive management of transitional ecosystems.过渡性水体（transitional water bodies）是一类高度动态的生态系统，其中大型水生植物（macrophyte）群落能够整合空间与时间尺度上的环境变化信息。本研究在为期13年的监测周期内，针对意大利南部普利亚大区的11个地中海过渡性水体，开展了大型水生植物组合、生态健康状态（MaQI）及理化环境条件的评估工作。 大型水生植物多样性呈现出显著的空间异质性，梯度差异覆盖了物种丰富的受海洋影响湖盆，到以机会性分类群为主的浅水区富营养化系统。多变量分析（主成分分析PCA、典范对应分析CCA）结果显示，盐度、水深、水温及营养盐条件是调控大型水生植物分布的核心驱动因子，但生态健康状态与这些环境梯度仅呈现较弱的相关性。 生态健康状态（MaQI）的时间变化轨迹表明，区域尺度上整体保持稳定，但各湖盆存在显著的特异性变异：波尔图切萨雷奥（Porto Cesareo）持续处于高生态健康状态，而莱西纳（LE01）的生态健康状态近期出现下降。 本研究结果凸显了各湖盆间显著的环境分异特征，并强调了将基于大型水生植物的健康指数与多变量生态分析相结合的重要价值，可用于优化生态评估工作，为过渡性生态系统的适应性管理提供有力支撑。