英语听力：自然百科 大堡礁 珊瑚礁至雨林(27)（在线收听）

These huge tracts of rainforest close to the Queensland coast are essential because they regulate the flow of water and the sediment it contains.

位于昆士兰海岸附近的大片树林是不可或缺的，因为它们调节了水流量和其中的沉积物。

That's important, because there's an awful lot of water here.

这一点至关重要，因为这里的水量很大。

Hot,humid tropical air gives rise to vast amounts of rainfall.

炎热，潮湿的热带空气产生了大量降雨。

It pours for at least 120 days a year.

一年至少120天下雨。

And as much as 60 centimeters can fall in a single day.

一天的降雨量，可高达60厘米。

It's one of the wettest places on earth.

这里是地球上最潮湿的地方之一。

Left unchecked by the forest, the water would wash out sediments and smother marine life.

如果没有雨林的截留，雨水将刷走所有沉积物，使海洋生物窒息。

But waterways flowing off the rainforest are relatively clear, and many are spectacular.

但经过热带雨林的缓冲和过滤，雨水就变得清澈，甚至壮观了。