Scientists: Keep Mangrove Forests to Prevent Flooding, Soil Loss

 

Disappearing natural resources like mangrove¹ forests are important to reduce flooding in low-lying coastal² areas like southern Florida, scientists say.

Mangrove trees grow in coastal wetlands. Unlike other trees, they can grow in salty seawater. Their roots form a dense³ barrier that helps prevent erosion⁴ and controls the force of incoming water from tides and ocean storms.

Scientific 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 Atmospheric⁵ 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.

Environmental 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."

Mangroves a valuable resource

Laura Geselbracht is a marine⁶ 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.

But 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.

Environmental scientist Margarita Kruyff warns of flooding in coastal areas in places like Miami Beach. That is because, she says, there is porous⁷ rock underground that leaks water.

"On the roads it means water could be coming up our drainage⁸ systems," Kruyff said.

Another influence on water levels in low-lying coastal communities is the seasonal⁹ King Tides. These are very high tides that affect ground water levels.

"Water may be coming up over seawalls for our residents, causing flooding in their homes and backyards," she said.

Flooding 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.

Mangrove 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.

Kruyff has advice for people in coastal areas around the world where mangrove forests live:

"In areas that are underdeveloped, see how you can preserve nature, rather than trying to bring it in once you've developed these areas."

Words in This Story

erosion –n. the loss of soil to the action of the wind and water

tide –n. the regular rise and fall of the level of the ocean caused by the pull of the Sun and Moon

eliminated –adj. removed

habitable –adj. able to be lived in, a place where people can live

1 mangrove   

n.(植物)红树，红树林

参考例句：

• It is the world's largest tidal mangrove forest.它是世界上最大的红树林沼泽地。
• Many consider this the most beautiful mangrove forest in all Thailand.许多人认为这里是全泰国最美丽的红树林了。

2 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

3 dense   

a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的

参考例句：

• The general ambushed his troops in the dense woods. 将军把部队埋伏在浓密的树林里。
• The path was completely covered by the dense foliage. 小路被树叶厚厚地盖了一层。

4 erosion   

n.腐蚀，侵蚀，磨损，削弱，减少

参考例句：

• The erosion of beach here is serious.这里海岸的腐蚀很严重。
• Drought and soil erosion had long been a major problem.干旱和水土流失一直是个老大难问题。

5 atmospheric   

adj.大气的，空气的；大气层的；大气所引起的

参考例句：

• Sea surface temperatures and atmospheric circulation are strongly coupled.海洋表面温度与大气环流是密切相关的。
• Clouds return radiant energy to the surface primarily via the atmospheric window.云主要通过大气窗区向地表辐射能量。

6 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

7 porous   

adj.可渗透的，多孔的

参考例句：

• He added sand to the soil to make it more porous.他往土里掺沙子以提高渗水性能。
• The shell has to be slightly porous to enable oxygen to pass in.外壳不得不有些细小的孔以便能使氧气通过。

8 drainage   

n.排水系统，下水道，排水，放水

参考例句：

• This is a drainage area.这里是排水区。
• Bad drainage caused the land to be flooded.排水不利容易使土地淹水。

9 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。