Scientists Study How Ocean Seagrasses Can Fight Climate Change
2021-04-19
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1Scientists say ocean seagrasses can be a valuable tool in fighting climate change.
2But many of these plants are being harmed by pollution linked to human activities such as mining and fishing.
3In March, scientists went on an expedition to an area in the Indian Ocean thought to contain the largest field of underwater seagrass in the world.
4The team collected data to learn more about what affects the health of seagrasses.
5Studies have shown that a big benefit of seagrass is that it can store up to two times the amount of carbon that forests do.
6If seagrasses can stay healthy and grow, they can remove carbon dioxide, or CO2, from the environment.
7CO2 is one kind of greenhouse gas that scientists have linked to rising temperatures in Earth's atmosphere.
8The Indian Ocean expedition, led by environmental group Greenpeace, traveled to Saya de Malha near the island nation of Seychelles.
9The field of seagrass at Saya de Malha is about the size of the European nation of Switzerland.
10Because the area is far from coastlines, it has stayed well protected from pollution and digging activities that can harm sea life.
11The seagrasses are also closer to the surface, meaning they take in more sunlight.
12This environment provides shelter and rich feeding grounds for thousands of different ocean creatures.
13Among those taking part in the expedition were scientists from Britain's Exeter University.
14They say they were able to collect some of the first field data on the area's wildlife, including its little-studied seagrass beds.
15The team gathered up pieces of grass floating in the water to examine later in the laboratory.
16It is not yet known how much carbon is being stored in Saya de Malha.
17But experts estimate that worldwide, the root systems of seagrasses trap more than 10 percent of the carbon buried in ocean sediment per year.
18Dimos Traganos is the lead scientist on a German Aerospace Center project developing software to improve seagrass searches using satellite images and other data.
19He told Reuters the carbon-storing abilities of seagrass has "massive implications" for worldwide efforts to limit climate change.
20"We are in such an exciting period," he said.
21Researchers with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimate seagrasses cover more than 300,000 square kilometers.
22They are spread across all continents except for Antarctica.
23The UNEP says that about every 30 minutes, human activity is helping to destroy seagrass areas about the same size of a soccer field.
24Scientists are now attempting to find out the current state of the world's seagrasses.
25Some areas studied demonstrate the harm that human activities can cause.
26One study suggested that pollution from mining and damage by fisheries may have helped destroy 92 percent of mainland Britain's seagrasses over a century.
27The study was published in March in Frontiers in Plant Science.
28This year, Seychelles began looking at its coastal seagrass carbon supply for the first time.
29And at least 10 countries have said seagrasses would play a part in their climate action plans, the UNEP says.
30Seychelles and Mauritius, which have joint control over the Saya de Malha's seabed, should take steps to count and care for the wealth of seagrasses in the area, said James Michel.
31He served as president of the Seychelles for 12 years until 2016.
32Michel added: "Then we'll be in a better position to know how to not only preserve it, but also to manage it to ensure that it is protected for the future."
33I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Scientists say ocean seagrasses can be a valuable tool in fighting climate change. But many of these plants are being harmed by pollution linked to human activities such as mining and fishing. 2In March, scientists went on an expedition 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. 3Studies have shown that a big benefit of seagrass is that it can store up to two times the amount of carbon that forests do. 4If 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. 5The Indian Ocean expedition, led by environmental group Greenpeace, traveled to Saya de Malha near the island nation of Seychelles. 6The 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 ocean creatures. 7Among those taking part in the expedition were scientists from Britain's Exeter University. They say they were able to collect some of the first 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. 8It is not 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 ocean sediment per year. 9Dimos Traganos is the lead scientist on a German Aerospace Center project developing software to improve seagrass searches using satellite images and other data. He told Reuters the carbon-storing abilities of seagrass has "massive implications" for worldwide efforts to limit climate change. "We are in such an exciting period," he said. 10Researchers with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimate seagrasses cover more than 300,000 square kilometers. They are spread across all continents except for Antarctica. 11The UNEP says that about every 30 minutes, human activity is helping to destroy seagrass areas about the same size of a soccer field. Scientists are now attempting to find out the current state of the world's seagrasses. 12Some areas studied demonstrate the harm that human activities can cause. One study suggested that pollution from mining and damage by fisheries may have helped destroy 92 percent of mainland Britain's seagrasses over a century. The study was published in March in Frontiers in Plant Science. 13This 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, the UNEP says. 14Seychelles and Mauritius, which have joint control over the Saya de Malha's seabed, should take steps to count and care for the wealth of seagrasses in the area, said James Michel. He served as president of the Seychelles for 12 years until 2016. 15Michel added: "Then we'll be in a better position to know how to not only preserve it, but also to manage it to ensure that it is protected for the future." 16I'm Bryan Lynn. 17Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. 18We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 19__________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21expedition - n. a trip undertaken by a group of people for a purpose 22benefit - n. a helpful or good effect 23greenhouse gas - n. gases that cause a warming of the Earth's atmosphere 24sediment - n. materials that collect at the bottom of a liquid 25implication - n. a result or effect 26preserve - v. to keep something safe from harm; to protect 27manage - v. to have control of something, such as a business, department, organization, etc.