Question

In a small bay that contains a coral reef, the water temperature has remained the same for decades. Recently, scientists discovered that the water temperature in the bay has increased by 1℃. Which is most likely to happen?(1 point)
Responses

The corals in the reef will immediately die.
The corals in the reef will immediately die.

The coral reef will experience a bleaching event.
The coral reef will experience a bleaching event.

The coral reef will undergo a period of intense growth.
The coral reef will undergo a period of intense growth.

The coral in the reef will gain more zooxanthellae.

Answer 1

The coral reef will experience a bleaching event.

A sustained temperature rise (even ~1°C above the long-term norm) stresses corals, causing them to expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae, which turns the corals pale or white (bleaching) and can lead to reduced growth or death if the stress continues.