Mini Report practice 2

UAE farmers have been learning about hydroponics, which allows them to grow fruit and vegetables using less water and energy. The technology uses 80% less water, less fertilizer and fewer pesticides than traditional farming, and gives at least 30% more productivity.

The system was imported from Holland and grows  plants without soil. Two government-run organizations, the Khalifa Fund and the Farmers’ Service Centre help farmers with the costs of conversion and with technical advice

Normally, productivity on Abu Dhabi farms falls during the hot summer months but hydroponics is expected to change that. The system can be used both in open-field farms and in greenhouses. All water is recycled and re-used. An open hydroponics system saves up to 40% of water compared to conventional farming and the closed system saves 60-80%. Productivity increases, maintenance costs are lower, there is limited chemical usage and the new system is easy to manage.

150 words.

Mini Report practice 1

The numbers of UAE houbara declined in the past due to two factors: first, the destruction of their natural habitat, caused by urban development, and, second, the trapping of the birds in order to train falcons to hunt them, as the houbara is not the natural prey of the falcon.

The International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) has bred more than 13,000 Asian Houbara chicks this year, exceeding expectations. Apart from two UAE breeding centres there is also one in Morocco and one in Kazakhstan. Plans to introduce the birds into the wild have to be balanced with the needs of falconers. The IFHC conducted surveys at the 2012 Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition to get information on the correct balance needed. The exhibition, designed to represent Emirati culture and giving all visitors a chance to learn more about endangered animals, hunting equipment and locally-made items and to watch shows performed by Arab horses, camels and police dogs, attracted a worldwide audience.

164 words.

Extended summary 2

How do corals survive in the very hot Gulf waters? Is it due to a 4,000 year-long evolutionary process? Samples of Gulf coral have been analysed in a British lab to work out the molecular basis of the corals’ acclimatization to hot water. One reason for the corals’ success is that they live in symbiosis with a type of algae which produces sugar which gives the coral energy. In return the coral provides shelter and nutrients for the algae. It seems a perfect arrangement  but both coral and algae are entirely co-dependent. At very high temperatures the algae produce chemicals which damage the coral, causing bleaching. As a result many corals have been lost.

Still, overall, corals have recovered from damage and are surviving. How? Corals reproduce by fragmentation, which is tricky, or by larval reproduction, which seems to be key. Coral larvae are produced in billions during spawning and float around until they can attach themselves to rocks and so begin to form new reefs. Scientists suspect there may be seeding reefs upstream in the Gulf, which would strengthen calls for cross-border environmental protection agreements to protect coral reefs.

190 words

1st Extended Summary

The Ras-al-Khaimah Pearls Museum

Pearls historically have been prized around the world and they have had a great impact on the local Gulf economy. Evidence of this, together with the many myths that have surrounded the pearl, can be found in RAK’s new Pearls Museum. RAK used to be the capital of the pearl trading industry, which collapsed in the 1930s with the Japanese invention of cultured pearls. Natural pearls occur in oysters so pearl diving became virtually obsolete.

The thousands of local pearls on display at the 2-storey museum are from RAK’s waters. Apart from the pearl, every bit of the oyster is used: the shell for design, the interior for food and what’s left for fertilizer. On the first floor is a historical journey, including divers’ equipment, which makes it clear just how dangerous diving was. Visitors can also take a pearl-diving experience trip on a dhow. On the second floor there are photographs, some of Japanese female divers, and displays of the world’s famous pearls, including information on how to distinguish natural from cultured pearls. The centerpiece of the display is RAK’s 12mm Miracle of Arabia pearl.

186 words

1st practice summary

The Hajj

Each year about 2M  Muslims from all over the world perform the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. All Muslims, physically fit and financially able are expected to do the Hajj, which takes place in the twelfth month of the Islamic year and lasts about 6 days. Vaccination and crowd control are major problems for the Saudi authorities. Before entering Mecca the pilgrims cleanse themselves and don fresh, simple clothing symbolizing the equality of all before God. First pilgrims walk 7 times around the Ka’aba, the large black cube in Mecca.  They also travel 7 times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. They then travel to Mina and stay overnight. The next day they travel to the plain of Arafat, scene of Mohamed’s last sermon.. That evening they camp at Muzdalifah. Back at Mina they throw stones at pillars where they believe Satan tempted Abraham. Sheep are slaughtered by or in the name of each pilgrim. Returning to Mecca, the pilgrims repeat the first-day tasks. They then return to Mina for 3 days of prayers. The final ritual is the farewell Tawaf around the Ka’aba.

187 words