4.5. Statistical Analysis

Experimental data were checked for normality with Shapiro–Wilk’s test and Levene’s test for equal variances. An independent sample t-test was performed to compare mean values of chlorophyll a fluorescence parameter between NE and SW slopes. A one-way ANOVA parametric test was used to check the significant differences in terms of fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, ΦPS II, qP, qN, and NPQ) between slopes (NE vs. SW slope) and season (spring, summer, autumn, winter). A multi-way ANOVA parametric test was done to study interaction within slope and seasons. ANOVA post-hoc (Tukey’s test) was performed at 95% confidence level to determine the significant differences between each pair of seasons with different parameters. Statistical analyses were performed using the statistical software R programming language version 3.5.3 for windows (R development Core Team, Auckland, New Zealand).