An ecologist is interested in researching how coral reefs develop over time. Which zone of the ocean should the ecologist start his research?A) in...

D) In the benthic level of the neritic zone because the
newest coral will be located in that region

Since the
ecologist is interested about the development of coral reefs, he/she must find first the
newest one (youngest one).

The neritic zone of the ocean is
one of the region of the pelagic zone.  It lies above the relatively shallow part of the
sea floor or simply, the continental shelf. Most commercial fishing takes place in this
zone.

The photic and the aphotic level belongs to the
oceanic zone which is the open ocean zone.

On the other
hand, the benthic level is the ecological region of ocean water. It includes the entire
sea bed rising along the mid ocean ridges down the deep ocean trenches.   This is also
the areas of coral reefs.