Задание
Read the article and choose the best options out of the four given
Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4 , соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.
Mangrove ecosystems
Mangroves are shrubs or trees that form forests or small patches along tropical and subtropical shorelines. They live at the boundary between the land and the ocean. While most plants have roots that are entirely underground, mangroves have roots that are partially above ground, called aerial roots. They serve as "snorkels" for breathing when the soil is flooded or has little oxygen. In addition, mangroves have salt glandules that allow them to remove sea salt through the pores of the leaves, which is essential for living in seawater.
Mangroves provide multiple benefits or ecosystem services to the marine and coastal species around them. For instance, they offer refuge for marine organisms, nursery areas for fish, feeding zones for land and water animals, and hurricane protection. Furthermore, mangroves efficiently filter out water pollutants from coastal waters.
When we think about forests on land, we easily picture big pines, grass, bears, and squirrels. Compared to coral reefs, for example, mangrove ecosystems have low biodiversity, but they still harbor a wide diversity of life, such as bacteria, birds, fish, turtles, and crustaceans like fiddler crabs. Some of these species have economic (shrimps, snapper, crabs, and others) and social importance (for example, biodiversity as cultural importance).
Mangroves occupy only 0.5% of the world's tropical and subtropical coastal areas, but they are the most significant contributors of terrestrial carbon (the primary element of life and the most significant element on the planet) that is sent to the ocean. Like other plants, mangroves build roots, leaves, and stems using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a greenhouse gas. However, mangroves remove CO2 from the atmosphere about four times more efficiently than other plants. Thus, mangroves are essential to reducing CO2 in the atmosphere because they can trap it in the soil around them for extended periods of time. Mangroves also help to reduce erosion and protect the coasts against storm water and extreme weather events, like hurricanes. Because of the mangroves' abilities, the International Union for Conservation of Nature considers mangrove ecosystems to be superheroes in slowing down climate change and reducing its negative effects on the planet.
Mangrove forests are among the most important coastal ecosystems in the tropics and subtropics. These ecosystems sustain an immense diversity of life, support local fisheries, and have economic benefits for nearby regions. Unfortunately, increased human activities within mangrove forests threaten these ecosystems. Urban development, pollution, overexploited fisheries, agriculture, aquaculture, and deforestation all contribute to the loss of mangroves. It is estimated that 35% of the world's mangrove forest area was lost during the 1980 and 1990s, and this loss will continue in the upcoming years if we do not act now. Currently, the biggest threat to mangroves is not deforestation but rather degradation of mangrove ecosystems; that is, the loss or modification of the ecosystem services provided by these wetlands.
Human population growth in coastal zones is inevitable, and society and industry must manage mangrove forests with more care. Many people are not even aware of the ecological importance of mangroves and the dangers that threaten them. Thus, public information and educational campaigns must be promoted to raise awareness of this issue. Hopefully, once more people are aware of the critical ecosystem services provided by these unique, irreplaceable wetlands, more steps will be taken to protect them. Saving the mangroves will have widespread benefits for our entire planet, perhaps even helping to slow climate change.
12. They in "They serve as "snorkels" for breathing" (paragraph 1) refers to …
mangroves.
aerial roots.
plants.
forests.
13. Which of the following is NOT true about mangroves, according to the author?
Mangroves tend to provide marine life with a refuge.
Mangroves provide feeding areas for both land and water animal species.
Substances polluting coastal waters are effectively removed by mangroves.
Various advantages are offered by mangroves primarily to the coastal animals.
14. According to the author of the article, …
the biodiversity of coral reefs is not higher than that of mangrove ecosystems.
mangrove ecosystem biodiversity is not significant from a social perspective at all.
forests on land are a common place to find a variety of animal and plant species.
cultural importance of biodiversity contributes to increasing economic importance.
15. What does the author suggest about mangrove trees?
They cover quite a lot of coastal land.
They create terrestrial carbon that is released into the ocean.
They do not use sunshine to develop their roots and leaves.
They produce four times more carbon dioxide than other plants.
16. According to the author, people's actions …
endanger mangrove ecosystems.
cause extreme weather events.
contribute to slowing down climate change.
are essential for protecting marine diversity.
17. What poses the greatest risk to mangroves?
Cutting down mangrove trees.
Developing urban areas.
Excessive agricultural activity.
Decline of mangrove ecosystems.
18. According to the author, in order to protect mangroves it is necessary to …
avoid over-construction of housing along the coastline.
provide people with information about climate change.
support programmes that raise awareness of the issue.
take immediate action to protect wetlands worldwide.
The maximum score is 7 points for 7 correct answers.
For each correct answer, 1 point is given.
The score for the task: out of 7.