Final answer:
To determine the number of square meters covered by the crystal coral in the experimental sample, we need to know the proportion of the sample that is covered. Without this information, we cannot give an exact answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the number of square meters covered by the crystal coral in an experimental sample in 2007. To answer this, we need to know the proportion of the experimental sample that is covered by the crystal coral. The question provides the information that the total reef covers 360m². Since the question does not specify the proportion of the experimental sample covered by the coral, we cannot determine the exact number of square meters covered. However, if we have this information, we can multiply it by 18m² to find the specific area covered by the crystal coral in the sample.