Question

11. Which of the following is true?

Coral reefs can become overgrown by fleshy algae because the predators of the algae have been fished out

Coral reefs can become overgrown by fleshy algae under all of the scenarios given here

Coral reefs can become overgrown by algae when the coral is bleached or diseased

Answer 1

11, coral reefs can be overgrown by fleshy algae by both the scenario given here.

The fleshy algal growth can be reduced by growing healthy fishes which means that fishing the fishes out will increase the algal growth and thereby starts attcking corals.

The elevated temperature and acidification of the ocean has led corals to bleach. Fleshy algae use this opportunity and make the reef its home. Not just this, it also recruits microbes to the coral reefs by supplying nutrients.