Despite an obviously vigorous and fairly complex effort, a relationship between human-installed "stressors" and habitat factors was not found. Statistical analyses of the studies' data show that little of the variation in ecosystem (habitat) functions can be explained by a large basket of stressors. The correlation of multiple stressors with the welfare of nearshore habitats is not significantly
... [Show full abstract] different from zero (Bainbridge Island) or extremely low (East Kitsap County). The link beyond habitats to nearshore-dependent creatures was not explored because, the analysts explained, science is not available to do so. Overall, then, no significant correlation was found between human-caused nearshore features and marine life on Puget Sound. These results are consistent with other research that is summarized here. The results are quite damaging for notions of the need for nearshore restoration and its prioritization.