Final answer:
Coral reefs are vulnerable to damage due to their slow growth, fragile structure, and sensitivity to environmental changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coral reefs are vulnerable to damage due to their slow growth and fragile structure. They grow at a rate of only a few centimeters per year, which makes them highly susceptible to disruption from physical disturbances, such as storms, ship groundings, or even careless human activities like anchoring or fishing. Additionally, coral reefs are sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, such as temperature or water quality, making them prone to damage from bleaching, disease, and overfishing.
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