In a study examining the effects of disturbances and recruitment on the growth of coral in a portion of the Great Barrier Reef, researchers concluded that changes in the coral colonies are ____.
A) due to external factors only.
B) due to internal factors only.
C) due to both external and internal factors.
D) solely due to human interference.
E) not observable after disturbances

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Coral growth and changes in coral colonies are influenced by a combination of external factors (such as water temperature, pollution, and physical disturbances) and internal factors (such as the coral's own biological processes and interactions with other organisms). This holistic view acknowledges the complex interplay between the coral ecosystem and its environment.

In a Study Examining the Effects of Disturbances and Recruitment