高中校本教材 英语时文阅读 时文阅读|亚马逊雨林的消亡之路 研究人员揭示了不同规模的生态系统消失的速度，一旦达到临界点，它们就会崩溃，然后变成另外一个生态系统。即便是庞大到像亚马逊雨林这样的超级生态系统，也难以摆脱逐渐消失的命运。面对这样的巨变，我们该何去何从呢？ 阅读短文并回答问题 Large ecosystems（生态系统）, such as the Amazon rainforest, will collapse and disappear alarmingly quickly, once a crucial tipping point is reached, according to calculations based on real-world data. Writing in Nature Communications, researchers from Bangor University, Southampton University and the University of London, reveal the speed at which ecosystems of different sizes will disappear, once they have reached a point beyond which they collapse — transforming into an alternative ecosystem. For example, once the “point of no return” is reached, the Amazon rainforest could shift to a savannah-type ecosystem with a mix of trees and grass within 50 years, according to the research. Some scientists argue that many ecosystems are currently teetering（摇晃）on the edge of a cliff, with the fires and destruction of both the Amazon and Australian rainforests. “Unfortunately, what our paper reveals is that humanity needs to prepare for changes far sooner than expected,” says joint lead author Dr Simon Willcock of Bangor University. “These rapid changes to the world’s largest and most typical ecosystems would impact the benefits which they provide us with, including everything from food and materials, to the oxygen and water we need for life.” Ecosystems made up of a number of interacting species, rather than those dominated by one single species, may be more stable and take longer to shift to alternative ecosystem states. “These ecosystems provide opportunities to mitigate or manage the worst effects”, say the authors. For example, elephants are termed a “key stone” species as they have a disproportionately（不成比例地）large impact on the landscape — pushing over trees, but also dispersing seeds over large distances. The authors state that the loss of key stone species, such as this, would lead to a rapid and dramatic change in the landscape within our lifetime. “This is yet another strong argument to avoid degrading our planet’s ecosystems; we need to do more to conserve biodiversity,” says Dr Gregory Cooper, University of London. 1.What is the phenomenon described in paragraph 2? A. Many ecosystems are in danger currently. B. Large ecosystems have reached a tipping point. C. A new ecosystem will appear in the Amazon forest. D. Ecosystems are changed mainly due to natural disasters. 2. What is paragraph 3 mainly about? A. The benefits of large ecosystems. B. The ways to prepare for the changes. C. The introduction to typical ecosystems. D. The influences of ecosystems’ changes on humanity. 3. Which of the following best explains “mitigate” in the last paragraph? 高中校本教材 英语时文阅读 A. Cause. B. Ease. C. Increase. D. Judge. 4. Why does the author mention elephants in the passage? A. To prove the destructive power of elephants. C. To present the great influences of large animals. B. To explain the reason for the reducing grassland. D. To stress the importance of conserving biodiversity. 【参考答案】ADBD 单词学习 1. savannah-type adj. 稀树草原型的 2. tipping point 引爆点，爆发点 3. teeter on the edge/brink of sth. 处在（灾难或危险）的边缘 The hotel is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. 这家旅馆正濒临破产。 4. disperse v. 散布；传播 The seeds are dispersed by the wind. 这些种子由风传播。 5. conserve v. 保护；保存 laws to conserve wildlife 保护野生动物的法令 长难句分析 These rapid changes to the world’s largest and most typical ecosystems would impact the benefits which they provide us with, including everything from food and materials, to the oxygen and water we need for life. 【分析】句子主干为“These changes would impact the benefits”。“to the world’s largest and most typical ecosystems”为“changes”的后置定语；“which they provide us...water we need for life”为定语从句，修饰先行词“benefits”；其中“we need for life”为省略了“that”的定语从句，修饰先行词“the oxygen and water”。 【翻译】世界上最大、最典型的生态系统的这些快速变化将影响它们为我们提供的好处，包括从食物和材料到我们生命所需的氧气和水。 知识拓展 1. Nature Communications 《自然通讯》杂志，是英国《自然》杂志周刊下的子刊，《自然》周刊是世界上最早的国际性科技期刊，自1869年创刊以来，始终如一地报道和评论全球科技领域里最重要的突破。 2. Bangor University 班戈大学，建于1884年，位于威尔士北部，是英国的知名大学之一。 3. Southampton University 南安普顿大学，建于1862年，主校区坐落于英国英格兰汉普郡南安普顿，是英国的顶尖学府。 4. The University of London 伦敦大学，建于1836年，位于英国首都伦敦，是由十几所高校和研究机构组成的大学联邦，也被称为“公立联邦制大学”。 本文来源：https://www.wddqw.com/doc/0deead1ca02d7375a417866fb84ae45c3b35c2ab.html