Warming ocean temperatures cause a bleaching event on a coral reef, which becomes degraded. The corals begin to die. In 3–5 sentences, explain what will happen to the sea floor around the coral reef and the coastline near the coral reef.(4 points)

Answer 1

As the corals die and degrade due to warming ocean temperatures and bleaching, the sea floor around the coral reef will lose its structure and stability. Without the presence of live coral colonies, the sea floor will become more barren and may experience increased erosion. This can lead to the loss of important habitats and diminish the overall biodiversity in the area. Additionally, the degradation of the coral reef can impact the coastline near it by reducing the protection provided by the reef against wave action and storm surges. This heightened vulnerability may result in increased coastal erosion and potential threats to infrastructure and human settlements.