Coral Reef Degradation

Q1. The passage identifies which of the following as the process by which ocean warming damages coral reefs?

1. Ocean acidification, which dissolves the calcium carbonate in coral skeletons
2. Bleaching, in which corals expel the symbiotic algae that provide nutrition and colour
3. Sedimentation, which covers reef surfaces and prevents sunlight from reaching corals
4. Overfishing, which removes the fish that protect corals from predators

Q2. The passage states that the stressors affecting coral reefs are 'cumulative.' What does this mean?

1. The stressors affect the same reefs repeatedly, building up over time
2. A reef weakened by one stressor (such as bleaching) is less able to recover from additional stressors such as disease or cyclones
3. The total number of stressors affecting reefs has increased every decade since 1980
4. All stressors affecting reefs are caused by the same underlying factor: climate change

Q3. The role of fish in reef health, as described in the passage, is to:

1. Provide the physical structure that forms the reef itself through their calcium-secreting bodies
2. Control reef-damaging organisms such as crown-of-thorns starfish and algae
3. Pollinate the coral polyps that are the living components of the reef
4. Protect the reef from wave erosion and physical damage

Q4. The passage's conclusion about coral restoration efforts is that:

1. Coral farming and transplantation have been largely unsuccessful even at small scales
2. Restoration at large scales has already reversed reef degradation in several regions
3. Restoration efforts show promise at small scales but cannot reverse the overall trend without addressing underlying drivers, particularly ocean warming
4. The only effective restoration strategy is the creation of marine protected areas that exclude all human activity

Q5. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument that reducing CO2 emissions is necessary for coral reef survival?

1. A study showing that coral farms can produce enough coral to replace all bleached reefs within ten years
2. Evidence that reefs in marine protected areas (where fishing is banned) are still experiencing bleaching at the same rate as unprotected reefs
3. Research demonstrating that even reefs fully protected from sedimentation and overfishing are bleaching at accelerating rates as ocean temperatures rise
4. Data showing that ocean acidification affects reef growth rates more severely than bleaching does

Q6. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a benefit that coral reefs provide to humans?

1. Coastline protection from wave erosion
2. Support for fishing and tourism industries
3. A source of freshwater through coral filtration systems
4. Compounds used in medical research