Zologial Sociey of London (ZSL), which runs London Zoo, brought together 16 scientists from different organizations to make a full "heath heck" on 215 miles of the Thames. The results of the first-ever State of the Thames Report have been shown to the public and there's both good and bad news for London's main waterway.
First up, since the Thames was pronounced "biologically(生物学地)dead" in1957, the number of animals and plants growing in and around the river has increased greatly. Natural habitats(栖息地)are also on the increase, some of which can help in the fight against climate(气候)change.
It's not all good news though—like everywhere else, the Thames is influenced by climate change, mainly through changes in water temperature and sea levels. The Thames is increasing in temperature at an average(平均数)of 0. 2℃ each year, changing the natural environment.
Water levels are also rising in the Thames—at Silvertown. There has been an average increase of 4. 26 mm per year since 1990, which makes London more likely to be flooded.
As with pretty much everywhere on Earth, the Thames needs climate change to be stopped in order to make itself a living river in the future.
The Environment Agency has put together the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan which sets out a long-term plan for dealing with the influence of rising sea levels for the rest of this century, in order to protect London from floods.
James Brand, Thames Estuary 2100 Advisor at the Environment Agency said, "We are glad to support the State of the Thames Report. If we are going to stop climate change, nature needs to be at the heart of our activities, both in slowing the pace of future change and dealing with the changes that we are already seeing. "
