Coastal mangrove forests provide significant protection against storm damage. By dissipating wave energy and stabilizing shorelines with their dense root systems, mangroves can dramatically reduce the inland reach of storm surges. Studies of recent hurricanes show that coastlines protected by mangroves suffered noticeably less property damage than otherwise similar unprotected coastlines.
Which choice best describes the function of the third sentence in the text?
- A
It defines the term 'storm surge'.
- Bcheck_circle
It provides empirical evidence supporting the claim about mangrove protection.
- C
It introduces a competing protection method.
- D
It contradicts the claim about mangrove protection.
Explanation
Hurricane comparisons supply observational support for the protection claim. B captures this evidentiary function.