Conceptual hypotheses to be tested with heated settlement plates (HSPl). Panels illustrate predicted processes under experimental warming: (a–d) changes in species richness and diversity mediated by facilitation or competitive dominance; (e–f) settlement responses of cyprid larvae, from temperature-independence to preference for warmer substrata; (g) individual performance metrics such as growth and reproduction; (h) recruitment outcomes shaped by competition under stress gradients; (i–j) body and colony growth responses under varying food availability.