Scientists say seagrasses can be a valuable tool in fighting climate change. But many of these plants are being harmed as mining and fishing pollute the seawater.
In March, scientists went on an expedition (考察) to an area in the Indian Ocean thought to contain the largest field of underwater seagrass in the world. The team collected data to learn more about what affects the health of seagrasses.
Studies have shown that a big benefit seagrasses bring is that it can store up to two times the amount of carbon that forests do. If seagrasses can stay healthy and grow, they can remove carbon dioxide, or CO2, from the environment. CO2 is one kind of greenhouse gas that scientists have linked to rising temperatures in Earth’s atmosphere.
The Indian Ocean expedition, led by environmental group Greenpeace, traveled to Saya de Malha near the island nation of Seychelles. The field of seagrass at Saya de Malha is about the size of the European nation of Switzerland. Because the area is far from coastlines, it has stayed well protected from pollution and digging activities that can harm sea life. The seagrasses are also closer to the surface, meaning they take in more sunlight. This environment provides shelter and rich feeding grounds for thousands of different living things in the ocean.
Among those taking part in the expedition were scientists from Britain’s Exeter University. They say they were able to collect some of the firsthand field data on the area’s wildlife, including its little-studied seagrass beds. The team gathered up pieces of grass floating in the water to examine later in the laboratory. It isn’t yet known how much carbon is being stored in Saya de Malha. But experts estimate that worldwide, the root systems of seagrasses trap more than 10 percent of the carbon buried in oceans sediment (沉积物) per year. Therefore, the carbon-storing abilities of seagrass have massive implications (影响) for worldwide efforts to limit climate change.
This year, Seychelles began looking at its coastal seagrass carbon supply for the first time. And at least 10 countries have said seagrasses would play a part in their climate action plans.
【小题1】The harm to seagrasses is mainly done by ________.| A．frequent harvesting | B．global climate change |
| C．over-crowded living space | D．pollution linked to human activities |
| A．carbon storage | B．rainfall increase |
| C．oxygen production | D．temperature reduction |
| A．They stay quite close to coastlines. | B．They are in danger of being polluted. |
| C．They cover an area as large as Europe. | D．They benefit local sea creatures greatly. |
| A．Caution: It Is Really Urgent to Preserve Seagrasses |
| B．A New Tool to Fight Climate Change Has Been Found |
| C．Scientists Study How Ocean Seagrasses Can Fight Climate Change |
| D．Scientists Find What Is to Blame for the Declining Health of Seagrasses |
