Scientists from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Conducted

question 43

Multiple Choice

Scientists from The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science conducted a 6-year study on the effects of ocean temperature change on abundance of dominant intertidal species (barnacles and mussels) . These organisms can outcompete other intertidal organisms for space (and therefore distribution and abundance) . Suppose the scientists collected the following data on average intertidal zone temperatures (C°) and densities of mussel clumps and barnacle colonies (per square meter) :
$$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | l | } \hline { \text { Year } } & \text { Avg. Annual Intertidal Zone } & & \\ & \text { Temperature } \left( \mathrm { C } ^ { \circ } \right) & \text { \# Clumps Mussels/sq m } & \text { \# Colonies Barnacles/sq m } \\\hline 2004 & 6 ^ { \circ } & 6 & 22 \\\hline 2005 & 6.7 ^ { \circ } & 5.5 & 19 \\\hline 2006 & 7.3 ^ { \circ } & 5 & 17 \\\hline 2007 & 7.8 ^ { \circ } & 4.75 & 16.5 \\\hline 2008 & 8.2 ^ { \circ } & 4.5 & 16 \\\hline 2009 & 8.5 ^ { \circ } & 4.5 & 16 \\\hline 2010 & 8.7 ^ { \circ } & 4.5 & 16 \\\hline\end{array}$$
-What can the scientists conclude from the data?

• A) An increase of 2.2°C from 2004 to 2008 reduces the density of barnacles and mussels by approximately 25%.
• B) An increase of 6°C is needed before the number of clumps of mussels decreases.
• C) Increasing annual ocean temperatures do not affect abundance of mussels or barnacles.
• D) If annual ocean temperatures were recorded for another three years, scientists would likely observe steady temperatures.

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Definitions:

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