The concept of 'blue carbon' refers to the carbon captured by the world's oceanic and coastal ecosystems, particularly mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses. Unlike terrestrial forests, which store carbon primarily in biomass, these marine habitats sequester carbon predominantly in their sediments, where it can remain for millennia. Recent research highlights that although these ecosystems cover less than 2% of the ocean floor, they account for approximately 50% of the carbon buried in marine sediments. This remarkable efficiency has led to growing interest in their conservation as a climate mitigation strategy. However, scientists caution that when these habitats are degraded or destroyed, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, turning them from carbon sinks into carbon sources. Therefore, protecting blue carbon ecosystems is not merely an environmental issue but a critical component of global climate policy.
❓ Согласно тексту, почему экосистемы голубого углерода считаются особенно важными для смягчения последствий изменения климата?
A. A) Они накапливают углерод в основном в своей надземной биомассе, аналогично лесам.
B. B) Они покрывают значительную часть океанского дна и, таким образом, поглощают огромные объёмы углерода.
C. C) Они секвестрируют углерод в осадках на очень длительные периоды, несмотря на свою небольшую площадь.
D. D) Они быстро высвобождают накопленный углерод при разложении, что способствует балансированию уровней в атмосфере.
✅ 正确答案
C) They sequester carbon in sediments for very long periods, despite their small area.
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