What is a significant disease affecting coral reefs and its primary impact?

White Band Disease is a significant disease affecting coral reefs, primarily impacting the decline of susceptible coral species, particularly Acropora corals. This disease is named for the characteristic white bands that appear on infected corals, indicating tissue loss. The disease is particularly concerning because it can lead to large-scale mortality of affected coral populations, which are critical to reef structure and ecosystem health. Healthy reefs provide habitat for numerous marine species and protect coastlines.

The decline of coral species due to White Band Disease disrupts the balance of the reef ecosystem and can lead to reduced biodiversity. Healthy coral reefs are essential for the overall health of marine environments, as they support diverse communities of marine life. As certain coral species diminish, other species may not fill ecological roles effectively, leading to a cascade of negative effects on the entire reef system.

In contrast, the other options describe scenarios that either do not accurately reflect the impact of those diseases or suggest outcomes that are not reflective of the health impacts on coral reefs. For instance, Coral Bleaching is a profound problem but primarily results from environmental stress rather than being a disease. Coral Mosaic Disease and Black Band Disease are also known to have detrimental effects, but their outcomes do not include the enhancement of growth or biodiversity, which highlights why