Question

What two factors are negatively affecting coral reefs due to climate change
Higher ocean temperatures and more acidic water
Higher ocean temperatures and less acidic water
Lower ocean temperatures and more acidic waters
Lower ocean temperatures and less acidic waters

Answer 1

The two factors that are negatively affecting coral reefs due to climate change are **higher ocean temperatures and more acidic water**.

Higher ocean temperatures can lead to coral bleaching, where corals expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn white and lose their primary source of food. More acidic waters, resulting from increased CO2 absorption, can hinder coral calcification, which is the process corals use to build their skeletons and maintain their structures.