▶ Your Answer :
The reading passage contends that there are some issues with using tamarisk beetle as a method to eradicate the tamarisk tree, which consumes an excessive amount of water in the arid region. On the other hand, the lecture brings up several points that contradict this argument.
First, the speaker argues that the spread of the tamarisk beetle can be controlled. This is because the beetles only survive in areas where the tamarisk tree exists as it is their only food source. Moreover, there are several natural predators for the beetles, which control their population under check. This casts doubt on the author’s point that it is impossible to control the invasion of the insect, and thus the use of it to kill the tamarisk tree is not a good idea.
Second, according to the lecture, the use of the insect to eliminate a tamarisk tree has an immediate impact. This is supported by the fact that the beetle limits the photosynthesis of the tree by consuming the tree’s leaves. Since photosynthesis is a process that requires the drainage of water from the ground, the decreased rate of it will deter the tree from extracting large quantities of water. This counters the reading’s assertion that the utilization of the beetle is an ineffective method as it takes too much time to kill the tree.
The final point made by the lecture is that the increased risk of wildfires by the usage of the tamarisk beetle is not so severe. The reason is that the local government which has a lot of experiences of controlling wildfire will take appropriate measures. For instance, the flammable debris on the ground can be removed or the practice of controlled burning can be utilized. This refutes the reading’s claim that the use of tamarisk beetle to get rid of the tamarisk tree is not the best solution as it has a high risk of wildfires. |