Response of single benthic metrics and multi-metric methods to anthropogenic pressure gradients, in five distinct European coastal and transitional ecosystems

► Investigation of 13 single metrics and eight methods in assessing benthic status. ► In five distinct systems across Europe, including lagoons, estuaries, coasts and fjords. ► Most of the metrics and methods are able to detect pressure gradients. ► Inconsistencies were mostly in transitional waters. ► Some methods i.e. diversity, richness, BAT, M-AMBI, NQI detect gradients in transitional and coastal waters.