VOA慢速英语2021--澳大利亚本土物种受到威胁

Australia's Native Species Under Threat

A new report warns that Australia's native wildlife could see disastrous¹ effects from nonnative plants and animals. Experts at the national science agency, the CSIRO, are predicting much of the country's native plants and animals are in danger. They believe they could disappear by 2050 unless urgent action is taken.

Nonnative species have invaded Australia and threaten to overrun native plants and animals.

Invasive animals include European rabbits, which overrun two-thirds of Australia, wild house cats, pigs, and foxes.

Introduced species are endangering more than 80 percent of Australia's threatened species.

The report is called Fighting Plagues and Predators²: Australia's Path Towards a Pest and Weed-Free Future. It notes what researchers believe is an upcoming "... wave of new extinctions."

The study was done by the Commonwealth⁴ Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), a government agency.

Andy Sheppard is CSIRO's research director for biosecurity. He said Australia's colonization⁵ by the British more than 200 years ago has left harmful environmental effects.

"Look, Australia, as a lot of post-British colonial countries suffered from a huge amount of introduction of exotic species early in their colonization histories," he said. He added that there were groups set up to purposefully introduce plants and animals so the Europeans felt more at home.

Australia just like New Zealand has suffered as a result. "Australia unfortunately has the worst record internationally for mammalian extinction³," he said and noted⁶ that this has much to do with the activities of introduced cats and foxes.

The report released on November 23 estimated the cost of the damage caused by invasive species in Australia at about $18 billion each year and growing.

The study said that immediate⁷ action was needed to stop the spread of invasive species and protect Australia's "irreplaceable native animals and plants."

Traditionally, chemical and biological controls have been used to manage wild pest populations. There are debates about these methods and some supporters of animals have criticized them as inhumane.

Scientists in Australia are working on genetic⁸ pest control methods. Testing is under way on small laboratory animals, but a so-called "working system" could be up to five years away. One possible biocontrol includes limiting their ability to reproduce.

Words in This Story

species – n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants

introduce – v. to bring (something, such as a type of plant or animal) to a place for the first time

extinction – n. the state or situation that results when something (such as a plant or animal species) has died out completely

mammal – n. a type of animal that feeds milk to its young and that usually has hair or fur covering most of its skin

pest – n. an animal or insect that causes problems for people especially by damaging crops

1 disastrous   

adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的

参考例句：

• The heavy rainstorm caused a disastrous flood.暴雨成灾。
• Her investment had disastrous consequences.She lost everything she owned.她的投资结果很惨，血本无归。

2 predators   

n.食肉动物( predator的名词复数 )；奴役他人者（尤指在财务或性关系方面）

参考例句：

• birds and their earthbound predators 鸟和地面上捕食它们的动物
• The eyes of predators are highly sensitive to the slightest movement. 捕食性动物的眼睛能感觉到最细小的动静。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 extinction   

n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种

参考例句：

• The plant is now in danger of extinction.这种植物现在有绝种的危险。
• The island's way of life is doomed to extinction.这个岛上的生活方式注定要消失。

4 commonwealth   

n.共和国，联邦，共同体

参考例句：

• He is the chairman of the commonwealth of artists.他是艺术家协会的主席。
• Most of the members of the Commonwealth are nonwhite.英联邦的许多成员国不是白人国家。

5 colonization   

殖民地的开拓，殖民，殖民地化； 移殖

参考例句：

• Colonization took place during the Habsburg dynasty. 开拓殖民地在哈布斯堡王朝就进行过。
• These countries took part in the colonization of Africa. 这些国家参与非洲殖民地的开发。

6 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。

7 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

8 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。