Scientists have been studying threats to coral reefs. The percent of reefs affected by various threats are shown in the figure below. A future global temperature increase may affect all categories on the figure. Predict which category would change the most from global temperature increases and propose a testable question that scientists could study.
a graph showing the percent of reefs at risk worldwide with various threats. Overfishing and Destructive Fishing shows 0-30 percent to be highly –threatened reefs, 31-58 percent to be threatened reefs and 59-100 percent to be slightly-threatened reefs. Marin-based Pollution and Damage indicates 1 percent to be highly-threatened reefs, 2-10 percent to be threatened reefs and 11-100 percent to be slightly-threatened reefs. Coastal Development indicates 0-10% to be highly-threatened reefs,11-22 percent to be threatened reefs and 23-100 percent to be slightly-threatened reefs. Watershed-based Pollution indicates 0-10 percent to be highly-threatened reefs, 11-28 percent to be threatened reefs and 29-100 percent to be slightly-threatened reefs. Integrated Local Threat indicates 0-10 percent to be very highly-threatened reefs, 11-30 percent to be highly-threatened reefs, 31-60 percent to be threatened reefs and 61-100 percent to be slightly-threatened reefs. Integrated Local Threat and Thermal Stress indicates 0-18 percent to be very highly-threatened reefs, 19-40 percent to be highly-threatened reefs, 41-75 percent to be threatened reefs and 76-100 percent to be slightly-threatened reefs.
© 2016 World Resources Institute
The biggest effect will be on the far right column that includes thermal stress with a greater percentage of reefs falling into the low and medium threat categories. Scientists could test whether reefs that have greater fishing risk also have greater thermal risk.
The biggest effect will be on the far right column that includes thermal stress, with a greater percentage of reefs falling into the high and very high threat categories. Scientists could test whether reefs that have greater temperature changes have greater increases in watershed-based pollution.
The biggest effect will be on the far left column that includes fishing, with a greater percentage of reefs falling into the high and very high threat categories. Scientists could test whether increased fishing causes increased marine-based pollution.
The biggest effect will be on the far left column that includes fishing, with a greater percentage of reefs falling into the low and medium threat categories. Scientists could test whether reefs that have greater temperature changes have greater increases in fishing threats.
