Coral Reefs Global Distribution

Statement 1 is correct: Coral reefs thrive in warm tropical and subtropical waters, generally between 23°C and 29°C. The vast majority of the world's coral reefs are concentrated in tropical regions, particularly the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean. Statement 2 is correct: The Coral Triangle region, encompassing Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, contains approximately 30-35% of the world's coral reefs and is recognized as the global center of marine biodiversity. Statement 3 is correct: Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. They host representatives from more animal phyla than tropical rainforests, which, though highly diverse, are dominated by arthropods and vertebrates. Coral reefs support a wider phyletic diversity including cnidarians, mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, fish, and many other phyla. All three statements are accurate.

Answer: (d).