Table 3 Weights applied to evidence items, based on the study design and number of independent sampling units [ [27]]

After impact only

1

Reference/control vs. impact (no before data)

2

Before vs. after (no reference/control data)

2

Gradient response (temporal or spatial)

3

BACI/BARI or MBACI/MBARI or Beyond MBACI

4

Factorial design: Number of independent reference/control sampling units

0

0

1

2

>1

3

Factorial design: Number of independent impact sampling units

1

0

2

2

>2

3

Gradient designs: Number of sampling units

3

0

4

2

5

4

≥6

6