AICE Marine Science Practice Exam

Question: 1 / 400

In terms of biodiversity, which statement is true about coral reefs?

They are unstable environments

They support high biodiversity

Coral reefs are renowned for their high biodiversity, making them one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. They provide habitat and resources for thousands of marine species, including fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals. The structure of coral reefs, created by the calcium carbonate skeletons of coral polyps, offers numerous ecological niches, which allows various species to thrive. This complex habitat supports not just a high number of species, but also a wide variety of interactions among those species, contributing to the overall health and resiliency of the ecosystem.

The richness in biodiversity found in coral reefs is essential for the overall functioning of marine ecosystems, as diverse communities are typically more resilient to changes and can maintain ecological balance more effectively than less diverse systems. Thus, stating that coral reefs support high biodiversity accurately captures their ecological value and significance.

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They have low species diversity

They only host a few species

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