Which describes an effect that ocean currents have on short-term climate change? Ocean currents increase the strength of prevail
ing winds, which can cool the air and land. Ocean currents can carry cold water, which can cool the air and land. Ocean currents increase hurricane activity, which can raise the temperature of the air and land. Ocean currents can carry warm water, which causes hurricane activity and raises the temperature of the air and land.
The ocean currents have been associated with past climatic shifts during critical periods (for example, the ice ages), where modifications in water circulation might have caused important climatic changes.
From a biological point of view, the ocean currents may be associated not only with the climate but also biogeochemical cycles through modifications in the distribution of heat and freshwater. Thus, the changes in ocean circulation may produce biogeographical shifts by affecting the local climate. The importance of ocean currents in affecting biodiversity is also represented by the equilibrium of coral reef ecosystems, where this equilibrium is broken up by factors such as transport of pollutants, temperature conditions, etc., which are known to alter thermosensitive coral species.
