Question

Coral reefs have the highest biodiversity of any marine ecosystem on Earth. Hundreds of plant and animal species live in close association with the coral in these reefs and depend on them for survival.

In recent years, global climate changes have slowly begun to increase the temperatures of the ocean. Coral are very sensitive to temperature changes—even an increase of 0.5°C can cause them to bleach and die.

A scientist is making a graph to predict how the biodiversity of coral reefs will change if global temperatures continue to increase. This graph will most likely show
A.
that the diverse species of the coral reef will move from marine ecosystems into land ecosystems.
B.
that the biodiversity of the coral reefs will decrease if global temperatures continue to increase.
C.
that the biodiversity of the coral reefs will not change if global temperatures continue to increase.
D.
that the biodiversity of the coral reefs will increase if global temperatures continue to increase.

Answer 1

The graph will most likely show that the biodiversity of coral reefs will decrease if global temperatures continue to rise, due to the sensitivity of corals to higher temperatures and ocean acidification, coupled with human-induced stresses.

Step-by-step explanation:

A scientist making a graph to predict how the biodiversity of coral reefs will change if global temperatures continue to increase will most likely show that the biodiversity of the coral reefs will decrease. This decline is because coral reefs are particularly sensitive to temperature changes and oceanic acidification, both of which are exacerbated by global warming and human activity. Even a slight rise in ocean temperatures can lead to coral bleaching events, where the symbiotic algae that live with coral are expelled, leading to a loss of color and productivity. High levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere further contribute to ocean acidification, affecting coral's ability to calcify and build their skeletons.

Rising temperatures and acidification, combined with human-induced stressors such as overfishing, pollution from agricultural runoff, and sediment increase due to coastal development, make it increasingly difficult for coral reefs to recover, leading to a decrease in marine species diversity. This has significant implications for the stability of marine ecosystems and the health of our planet's oceans.

Answer 2

B.

that the biodiversity of the coral reefs will decrease if global temperatures continue to increase.

Step-by-step explanation:

Coral reefs are believed by many to have the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem on the planet—even more than a tropical rainforest. Occupying less than one percent of the ocean floor, coral reefs are home to more than twenty-five percent of marine life.