Question

What prediction can be made about how the distribution of coral reef populations would be affected if the oceans in which they live were to experience significantly more cloudiness of the water?
The coral population would decrease due to lack of sunlight.
The coral would increase their primary productivity to record levels.
The existing coral reefs would move to cooler northern waters.
The total number of coral reefs would remain unchanged.

Answer 1

The answer is A. Coral is dependent on clear water where the sun easily hits the photosynthetic organisms living within.

Answer 2

The correct answer is option A

The corals need clean and clear water that can allow the direct sunlight to pass to through it and reach corals.  

The sediments and the plankton on the surface of the water can cloud the water and decreases the amount of sunlight reaching the corals (zooxanthellae)

As a result of this the coral population would decrease in population due to lack of sunlight.