Question

which is a negative effect of rising ocean temperatures?

the drying out of fertile land and the formation of dust bowls
the flooding of low - lying coastal areas
the faster evaporation of water in the soil
the decreased frequency of major storms

Explanation:

To determine the negative effect of rising ocean temperatures, we analyze each option:

• Option 1 (the drying out of fertile land and the formation of dust bowls): Rising ocean temperatures can contribute to climate changes like altered precipitation patterns, leading to droughts that dry fertile land and form dust bowls. This is a negative effect.
• Option 2 (the flooding of low - lying coastal areas): While rising sea levels (related to thermal expansion from warmer oceans) cause coastal flooding, the question is about rising ocean temperatures' direct negative effect on land - based ecosystems and land use. The first option is more directly related to the impact on land fertility.
• Option 3 (the faster evaporation of water in the soil): Faster evaporation alone may not be as negative as the loss of fertile land and formation of dust bowls, as it can be mitigated in some cases, but the drying of fertile land is a more severe long - term negative impact.
• Option 4 (the decreased frequency of major storms): Rising ocean temperatures generally increase the intensity and sometimes frequency of major storms, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

the drying out of fertile land and the formation of dust bowls