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ut uses each data point (abundance) and assigns that value to the grid (Keckler,
1997).
Spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed on the abundance data for adults and
new recruits, together with the results from sediment analyses. This was carried out
using the SAAP package version 4.3 in an identical way to that described in Chapter
2. The distance classes 1-5 were kept constant through all the analyses and represent
inter-sample distances 0-3cm, 3-6cm, 6-9cm, 9-12cm and 12-15cm respectively.
Correlation analyses of adult P. elegans abundances with new recruits (for transects
with mean abundances of 3 individuals per core) and other species (with mean
densities 1 individual per core) were carried out. The data were checked for
normality using the Anderson-Darling test, any data not conforming to normality were
log(x+1)-transformed before Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis. Any
transformed data not conforming to normality were ranked and analysed using
Spearman Rank Correlation analysis. The a level, 0.05, was adjusted according to the
Bonferroni correction where probabilities were compared to a' where a'= oc/k (where
k = the number of independent tests; Sokal, 1986; Legendre and Legendre, 1997).
Correlation analyses were performed using Minitab version 12.1.
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