Currently, our understanding of the mechanisms for, and potential functional implications of, changes in seabed assemblages resulting from dredged material disposal is relatively unknown. Based on empirical data from 17 disposal sites, we address this by quantifying the nature and magnitude of shifts in the relative composition of response and effects traits within disposal site assemblages relative to their reference assemblages.

Differing shifts in both response and effects traits were observed across sites, regardless of the trait composition of the reference assemblages. Notable differences in the magnitude of traits changes were also observed for both trait types. Traits shifts are difficult to predict as they appear to reflect both environmental conditions and disposal regime. Temporal data revealed that some sites display relatively consistent responses while others presented large inter-annual variability. These findings are discussed in relation to dredged material monitoring and with respect to conservation objectives of marine protected areas.

目前，我们对由疏material的物料处置导致的海床组合变化的机理及其潜在功能含义的了解还相对未知。基于来自17个处置场所的经验数据，我们通过量化处置场所组合相对于其参考组合的响应和效果特征相对组成的变化的性质和幅度来解决此问题。

无论参考组合的性状组成如何，在不同部位观察到的响应和效应性状都有不同的变化。两种性状类型的性状变化幅度也存在显着差异。性状变化很难预测，因为它们似乎反映了环境条件和处置方式。时间数据显示，一些站点显示出相对一致的响应，而其他站点则表现出较大的年际变化。讨论了这些发现，涉及挖出的材料的监测以及海洋保护区的保护目标。