Question 1 Report
Fig. 1 shows divers surveying a coral reef beside an island harbour in the Philippines. The sketch shows branching coral, algae, grazing parrotfish and a tourist boat moored above the reef. The divers observed broken coral close to the anchor line and more algae in areas with few fish. Managers are deciding whether boats should use fixed mooring buoys instead of dropping anchors. The figure shows relationships in this warm tropical marine ecosystem.
(a) Outline three ways that fixed mooring buoys could help conserve the reef. [3]
(a) Any three: prevents anchors breaking coral [1]; reduces disturbance of seabed sediment [1]; avoids damage to coral habitat used by fish [1]; allows coral colonies to recover/grow [1]; can concentrate boats away from sensitive sections [1].
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