Scientists: Keep Mangrove Forests to Prevent Flooding, Soil Loss
2020-04-04
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1Disappearing natural resources like mangrove forests are important to reduce flooding in low-lying coastal areas like southern Florida, scientists say.
2Mangrove trees grow in coastal wetlands. Unlike other trees, they can grow in salty seawater.
3Their roots form a dense barrier that helps prevent erosion and controls the force of incoming water from tides and ocean storms.
4Scientific studies do not agree on how high tides and rising seas linked to climate change will affect Florida.
5However, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, or NOAA, predicts that the sea level could rise by as much as two meters by the year 2100.
6If that happens, large areas of Florida would be underwater.
7Environmental scientist Margarita Kruyff is trying to develop ways to limit the damage from flooding and rising seas.
8She said, "We're trying to project how fast we're expecting them to rise so we can plan how we're going to protect our communities for the future."
9Laura Geselbracht is a marine scientist in Florida.
10She works for the environmental group Nature Conservancy.
11She says mangrove forests like the ones in Oleta River State Park near Miami Beach provide protection against flooding.
12"Even though this area is surrounded by a lot of high development, the mangroves will help reduce flooding," she said.
13But Florida's mangrove forests face threats from building and other kinds of projects.
14"Most of our mangroves have been eliminated for development.
15As sea level rises, some areas will no longer be habitable and maybe some homes and other structures will be removed," Geselbracht said.
16Environmental scientist Margarita Kruyff warns of flooding in coastal areas in places like Miami Beach.
17That is because, she says, there is porous rock underground that leaks water.
18"On the roads it means water could be coming up our drainage systems," Kruyff said.
19Another influence on water levels in low-lying coastal communities is the seasonal King Tides.
20These are very high tides that affect ground water levels.
21"Water may be coming up over seawalls for our residents, causing flooding in their homes and backyards," she said.
22Flooding linked to rising seas is being reported in many parts of the world.
23In southern Florida, high tides are threatening drinking water and causing soil erosion.
24Mangrove forests on the coast are natural resources that can help prevent both erosion and floods.
25"We recognize that bringing back mangroves is going to help us be better protected in the future," she said.
26Kruyff has advice for people in coastal areas around the world where mangrove forests live:
27"In areas that are underdeveloped, see how you can preserve nature, rather than trying to bring it in once you've developed these areas."
28I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.
1Disappearing natural resources like mangrove forests are important to reduce flooding in low-lying coastal areas like southern Florida, scientists say. 2Mangrove trees grow in coastal wetlands. Unlike other trees, they can grow in salty seawater. Their roots form a dense barrier that helps prevent erosion and controls the force of incoming water from tides and ocean storms. 3Scientific studies do not agree on how high tides and rising seas linked to climate change will affect Florida. However, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, or NOAA, predicts that the sea level could rise by as much as two meters by the year 2100. If that happens, large areas of Florida would be underwater. 4Environmental scientist Margarita Kruyff is trying to develop ways to limit the damage from flooding and rising seas. She said, "We're trying to project how fast we're expecting them to rise so we can plan how we're going to protect our communities for the future." 5Mangroves a valuable resource 6Laura Geselbracht is a marine scientist in Florida. She works for the environmental group Nature Conservancy. She says mangrove forests like the ones in Oleta River State Park near Miami Beach provide protection against flooding. "Even though this area is surrounded by a lot of high development, the mangroves will help reduce flooding," she said. 7But Florida's mangrove forests face threats from building and other kinds of projects. "Most of our mangroves have been eliminated for development. As sea level rises, some areas will no longer be habitable and maybe some homes and other structures will be removed," Geselbracht said. 8Environmental scientist Margarita Kruyff warns of flooding in coastal areas in places like Miami Beach. That is because, she says, there is porous rock underground that leaks water. 9"On the roads it means water could be coming up our drainage systems," Kruyff said. 10Another influence on water levels in low-lying coastal communities is the seasonal King Tides. These are very high tides that affect ground water levels. 11"Water may be coming up over seawalls for our residents, causing flooding in their homes and backyards," she said. 12Flooding linked to rising seas is being reported in many parts of the world. In southern Florida, high tides are threatening drinking water and causing soil erosion. 13Mangrove forests on the coast are natural resources that can help prevent both erosion and floods. "We recognize that bringing back mangroves is going to help us be better protected in the future," she said. 14Kruyff has advice for people in coastal areas around the world where mangrove forests live: 15"In areas that are underdeveloped, see how you can preserve nature, rather than trying to bring it in once you've developed these areas." 16I'm Mario Ritter, Jr. 17Deborah Block reported this story for VOA. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 18________________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20erosion -n. the loss of soil to the action of the wind and water 21tide -n. the regular rise and fall of the level of the ocean caused by the pull of the Sun and Moon 22eliminated -adj. removed 23habitable -adj. able to be lived in, a place where people can live 24porous -n. having small holes or areas where air and water can pass