Based on current climate trends, which type of event caused by physical environmental processes do scientists think is the most likely threat to Australia in the future?
A.
overfishing
B.
flooding
C.
coral bleaching
D.
drought
Alright I am very confused. I went over this multiple times. Help pls? Thank you! You don't have to answer.
The answer could be any of these, although I’d put C last if I had to put them in order.
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=Q2jUXa6VHIvQsAWwqpSADA&q=environmental+threat+to+Australia&oq=environmental+threat+to+Australia&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i22i30.9589.26929..27851...0.0..0.139.3329.20j13......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i131j0j0i333j33i22i29i30.ngqXIKAOjmw&ved=0ahUKEwjuwr2fpfflAhULKKwKHTAVBcAQ4dUDCAg&uact=5
No problem! I'm here to help you understand. To determine the most likely threat to Australia in the future based on current climate trends, we need to consider the options provided: overfishing, flooding, coral bleaching, and drought.
First, let's break down each option:
A. Overfishing: Overfishing refers to the depletion of fish stocks in a particular area due to excessive fishing. While overfishing can have negative ecological consequences, it is not directly related to physical environmental processes like climate change or weather patterns.
B. Flooding: Flooding occurs when water overflows onto normally dry land due to heavy rainfall, storms, or other water-related events. Flooding is often influenced by climate factors, including precipitation patterns and extreme weather events. However, it's important to note that flooding can occur in various regions and is not necessarily specific to Australia.
C. Coral bleaching: Coral bleaching is the phenomenon where coral animals expel the colorful algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues, leading to their white appearance. This process occurs when coral is stressed by environmental factors like increased ocean temperatures, pollution, or increased acidity. Coral bleaching is a consequence of climate change and can have significant impacts on ecosystems, particularly in areas with coral reefs.
D. Drought: Drought is a prolonged period of abnormally dry weather, usually marked by a deficiency of precipitation. Drought can have severe impacts on agriculture, water supply, and the environment. Australia is known for its dry and arid climate, and droughts have historically been a significant concern in various parts of the country.
Considering the current climate trends, the option that aligns most closely with the scientific consensus regarding a likely future threat to Australia is:
D. Drought: Given Australia's predisposition to aridity and the potential intensification of drought conditions due to climate change, scientists consider drought to be a significant threat to the country's future.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. drought.
I hope this explanation helps clarify the choices and reasoning behind the answer. Let me know if you have any further questions!