Hawthorn (山楂) trees or bushes are a familiar sight in the UK, where they are often found
The use of hawthorn as a herbal medicine to protect the heart can be traced back for centuries. Its use
Hawthorn is now a popular heart remedy throughout Europe. It can help to protect the blood system that feeds the heart. Hawthorn can also contribute to mild chest pains
Hawthorn is regarded as one of the
2 . Seagrass meadows(海草床) are wonder plants growing beneath the sea. They feed and shelter sea life and are masterful at storing carbon. Thanks to the assistance of tiger sharks, a huge seagrass meadow in the Bahamas Banks was recently discovered, offering the world a tool to fight climate change.
Seagrass has usually been detected by Earth-orbiting satellites that identify darker patches in the blue water. In this study, tiger sharks were selected as research tools due to their highly consistent associations with seagrass ecosystems. They spend 70% of their time in seagrass meadows. The team equipped eight tiger sharks with satellite tags (电子跟踪器), seven sharks with camera tags, and used a 360-degree camera on a shark for the first time ever.
The data researchers collected was astonishing. The world’s largest seagrass ecosystem, measuring at least 66,900 square kilometers, has been discovered. This reflects a 41% increase from previous estimates of global seagrass. Seagrass can capture (捕获) huge quantities of carbon by photosynthesis (光合作用) and stores it on the seafloor. In terms of climate change, this is excellent news; seagrass is 35 times faster a removing carbon than tropical rainforests. When referred to global seagrass carbon stock estimates, the study indicates that seagrass in the Bahamas may contain 19.2% to 26.3% of all the carbon stored in seagrass meadows on Earth.
Yet seagrass meadows are rapidly disappearing, with over 92% of meadows in the UK gone, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Scientists are collecting seeds and trying to grow new seagrass meadows through restoration projects. This new discovery offers optimism and proves the importance of the ocean for healing.
The sharks led us to the seagrass ecosystem in the Bahamas, which we now know is likely the most significant blue carbon sink(蓝色碳汇) on the planet. What this discovery shows us is that ocean exploration and research are essential for a healthy future. The untapped potential of the ocean is limitless. These meadows can be protected and can be replicated (复制,仿制), offering hope for climate change around the globe.
1. Why were tiger sharks chosen as research tools?A.They are more flexible than other sea animals. |
B.They can quickly adjust themselves to the deep sea. |
C.They have a strong connection with seagrass ecosystems. |
D.They can be easily equipped with experimental devices. |
A.The decline of global seagrass meadows. |
B.The impact of climate change on sea life. |
C.The rapid increase in the amount of carbon on Earth. |
D.The potential value of the world’s largest seagrass ecosystem. |
A.Planting more seagrass meadows. |
B.Developing new technology to collect seeds. |
C.Mapping the distribution of seagrass meadows. |
D.Encouraging people to join in restoration projects. |
A.The New Way of Removing Carbon |
B.The Significance of Ocean Exploration |
C.A New Discovery: World’s Largest Seagrass Meadow |
D.Tiger Sharks: Scientists’ Essential Helper to Study Climate |