Table 2 Habitat and vegetation characteristics of the four habitats (average ± SE): elevation (m), shoot dry weight (g AFDW m⁻²), number of stems (number m⁻²), roots dry weight (g AFDW m⁻²), mud content (% <63 µm), median grain size (µm), Arenicola sand piles (number m⁻²) and algae dry weight (g AFDW m⁻²)

0

19,683 ± 1,274^a

335 ± 68.3^b

454 ± 28.9^b

0

48 ± 3.5^a

136 ± 27.5^b

338 ± 30.3^c

0

185 ± 24.09^a

900 ± 74.9^b

1,471 ± 126^c

1.5 ± 0.01^a

1.6 ± 0.02^a

1.8 ± 0.03^b

1.7 ± 0.03^b

6.8 ± 0.64^a

27 ± 2.3^b

18 ± 2.3^b

24 ± 3.6^b

179 ± 1.8^a

119 ± 6.1^b

138 ± 7.6^b

138 ± 14.1^b

63 ± 2.8^a

30 ± 5.1^b

14 ± 3.0^c

0^d