After reading the paragraph below, answer the questions that follow.
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):
| Year | Avg. Annual Intertidal Zone Temperature (C°) | # Clumps Mussels/sq m | # Colonies Barnacles/sq m
|
| 2004 | 6° | 6 | 22 |
| 2005 | 6.7° | 5.5 | 19 |
| 2006 | 7.3° | 5 | 17 |
| 2007 | 7.8° | 4.75 | 16.5 |
| 2008 | 8.2° | 4.5 | 16 |
| 2009 | 8.5° | 4.5 | 16 |
| 2010 | 8.7° | 4.5 | 16 |
Which is a correct interpretation of the data?
◦ The greatest change in average annual intertidal zones temperatures occurred between 2004 and 2005.
◦ As average annual intertidal zone temperatures increased between 2004 and 2005, the number of colonies of barnacles also increased.
◦ As average annual intertidal zone temperatures increased between 2007 and 2010, the number of mussel clumps proportionally decreased.
◦ Between 2004 and 2010, the number of colonies of barnacles increased proportionally with the number of mussel clumps.
A petrified log in Petrified Forest National Park.
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