Earth and Sky:Amazon Trends 亚马逊河流域

Amazon Trends 亚马逊河流域

More than 1/3 of Earth's species -- and about 30% of the total living plants and animals on Earth -- live in the Amazon. Discover a noted¹ scientist's perspective on the perils² and promise of this region -- today on Earth and Sky.

DB: This is Earth and Sky. Thomas Lovejoy is a biologist who's spent his career working in the Amazon, mostly in Brazil. He was the first to use the term "biodiversity," in a scientific paper, 22 years ago.

Thomas Lovejoy: Well, when you look back, you see two very different and contrasting trends. One is sort of the gloomy one: increased deforestation, increased human population relating to deforestation, and a role of fire in the Amazon on a scale that's never been seen in history.

DB: But Dr. Lovejoy is also hopeful...

Thomas Lovejoy: At the same time, you can see really measurable progress -- and I'm thinking of the creation of national parks and indigenous³ areas, efforts to fund sustainable development kinds of activities for the local population. So you see both good and you see both bad, and it's going to be a race to the finish.

DB: Lovejoy thinks there will be a slowing of deforestation -- and even active reforestation. Ultimately, he predicts, some 80% of the Amazon will remain forested -- but some of that won't be original, old growth forest. More tomorrow. Thanks today to the U.S. Forest Service and to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - supporting the conservation of native fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats. I'm Deborah Byrd for Earth and Sky.

1 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

2 perils   

极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境）

参考例句：

• The commander bade his men be undaunted in the face of perils. 指挥员命令他的战士要临危不惧。
• With how many more perils and disasters would he load himself? 他还要再冒多少风险和遭受多少灾难？

3 indigenous   

adj.土产的，土生土长的，本地的

参考例句：

• Each country has its own indigenous cultural tradition.每个国家都有自己本土的文化传统。
• Indians were the indigenous inhabitants of America.印第安人是美洲的土著居民。