Marked temperature changes in an aquatic environment can significantly affect the breeding of animals.
Explanation:
Temperature sensitivity:
Many aquatic species have specific temperature requirements for breeding, and even slight changes can disrupt their reproductive cycles, affecting spawning timing, fertilization rates, and embryo development.
Physiological impacts:
Temperature changes can directly influence an animal’s body processes, such as hormone production and metabolic rate, which are crucial for reproductive readiness.
Why other options are incorrect:
(b) more growth of aquatic plants:
While temperature can influence plant growth, the relationship is not always direct or simple. Some aquatic plants may thrive in warmer temperatures, while others may be negatively affected. Temperature changes can also alter the composition of plant communities, indirectly impacting food availability for other organisms.
(c) process of digestion in animals:
Digestion is primarily a physiological process internal to the animal and directly related to the organism’s digestive system, not the external water temperature.
(d) availability of nutrients:
Temperature can affect the overall ecosystem dynamics, including nutrient cycling and availability. However, the direct impact on nutrient availability is not the primary consequence of temperature change when considering reproductive issues in aquatic animals.