The Western Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hotspot, characterised by spatial heterogeneity in both natural and anthropogenic pressure that shape its ecosystems. Biodiversity is increasingly threatened by cumulative pressures like overfishing which is further exacerbated by climate change impacting environmental drivers. Understanding environmental drivers effects on biodiversity at different spatial and temporal scales is crucial. This study aims to identify how various biodiversity indicators respond to potential environmental drivers in the Western Mediterranean and how those responses may vary in space and/or time. We used eight biodiversity indicators and quantified their response to four covariates using three model types, response curves, spatially varying coefficients, and temporally varying models. The results showed that the shelf and slope responded differently to a given driver due to differences in community composition and ecological characteristics. Responses to covariates also differed by subregions, highlighting the strong spatial structure of the Western Mediterranean regarding oceanographic, environmental characteristics and fishing impact. However, no temporal changes were observed in the relationships between indicators and drivers. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of marine biodiversity in the Western Mediterranean, highlighting the importance of using a variety of indicators and incorporating spatial and temporal scales in biodiversity assessments.
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