What types of disturbances could affect a coral reef at small, moderate, and extreme scales?
How do these disturbances affect the carrying capacity and the biodiversity of the reef?
What impact is climate change having on the oceans, and in particular, coral reefs? Does it cause the same scale of impact as natural disturbances?
write your own explanation in short answers and sentences
Small scale disturbances on a coral reef could include overfishing or pollution from nearby land. These disturbances can lead to a decrease in the carrying capacity of the reef by depleting fish populations and impacting water quality. Biodiversity may also be affected as certain species are more sensitive to these disturbances.
Moderate scale disturbances could include coral bleaching events caused by rising ocean temperatures or disease outbreaks. These disturbances can significantly reduce the carrying capacity of the reef by killing off coral and other organisms that rely on the reef for habitat. Biodiversity may decrease as certain species are unable to adapt to the changing conditions.
Extreme scale disturbances could include severe storms or large-scale pollution events. These disturbances can have a catastrophic impact on the carrying capacity of a reef, causing widespread destruction and loss of biodiversity. Recovery from extreme disturbances may take many years or even decades.
Climate change is having a significant impact on coral reefs, as rising ocean temperatures lead to coral bleaching events and ocean acidification affects the ability of corals to build their skeletons. These impacts can be as severe as some natural disturbances, leading to widespread coral mortality and loss of biodiversity on a global scale. Climate change exacerbates the effects of other disturbances and poses a significant threat to the long-term health of coral reefs.