Which habitat is particularly vulnerable to the effects of ocean acidification?

Coral reefs are particularly vulnerable to the effects of ocean acidification due to their reliance on calcium carbonate to build their structure. Ocean acidification occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) is absorbed by seawater, leading to a decrease in pH. This process makes it harder for marine organisms, such as corals, to extract the calcium carbonate they need from the water to form their skeletons.

Coral reefs are also critical ecosystems that support a vast diversity of marine life. The sensitivity of corals to changes in pH affects not only their health and growth but also the overall biodiversity of oceanic environments. As ocean acidity increases, the ability of corals to maintain their skeletons is compromised, leading to weaker structures that can result in the degradation of reef ecosystems.

In contrast, deserts, forests, and grasslands are not directly exposed to the adverse effects of ocean pH changes because they are terrestrial ecosystems. While climate change can affect these environments in other ways, such as altering precipitation patterns or temperatures, they do not face the specific threats caused by ocean acidification that directly impact marine habitats like coral reefs.