VOA科学技术2024--UN Says One-fifth of Migrating Animals at Risk of Extinction

UN Says One-fifth of Migrating Animals at Risk of Extinction¹

　　A new United Nations report says one-fifth of the world's migrating animals are at risk of disappearing.

　　Animals that migrate move from one area to another at different times of the year.

　　The report, called State of the World's Migratory² Species, was released February 12. It blames population drops on environmental changes linked to human activities.

　　The threats the animals face include habitat loss, illegal hunting and fishing, pollution and climate change.

　　Many kinds of migratory animals – including songbirds, sea turtles, whales, sharks and others – move to different environments as the seasons change.

　　The U.N. report says about 44 percent of migratory species around the world are decreasing in population. In addition, about one in five of 1,200 species watched by the U.N. are at risk of becoming extinct, or completely disappearing.

　　Kelly Malsch was the lead writer of the report. She told The Associated Press, "These are species that move around the globe. They move to feed and breed and also need stopover sites along the way."

　　Malsch said any habitat loss or other threats during their trip can make animal populations fall. "Migration³ is essential for some species. If you cut the migration, you're going to kill the species," said Stuart Pimm. He is an ecologist at Duke University in North Carolina who was not part of the report.

　　The researchers examined existing data, including information from the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. The list identifies wildlife across the world currently facing threats.

　　The report was presented at a meeting of the U.N.'s Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Attendees of the gathering⁴ are examining proposals for conservation measures. They are also working to identify new species of concern.

　　Susan Lieberman is vice⁵ president for international policy at the nonprofit Wildlife Conservation Society. She told the AP, "One country alone cannot save any of these species."

　　Lieberman noted⁶ that eight South American governments at the meeting are expected to propose the addition of two threatened catfish⁷ to the U.N.'s list of species of concern. The catfish live in the Amazon River basin, the world's largest freshwater system. If the habitat there can be saved, the catfish will do well, Lieberman said. "It's about protecting the habitat," she added.

　　The report found habitat loss affected⁸ up to 75 percent of the species studied. The report said this shows a big need for more connectivity between separated ecosystems¹⁰. It urges governments to take steps to avoid harming habitats and migration paths when building dams, pipelines¹¹ or wind power equipment.

　　"We need to look at the top levels of government decision-making," said Amy Fraenkel. She is executive secretary of the U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species. Fraenkel told Reuters news agency the goal is to consider the best ways animals and humans can have their needs met. "We all need to survive," Fraenkel added.

　　She noted the problems migratory animals face are also linked to temperature changes across the planet.

　　These changes, Fraenkel added, hurt the timing¹² of migrations¹³, cause heat stress and drive increasingly destructive weather-related events.

　　She said, "The changes that had been already predicted some years ago are now happening."

　　Words in This Story

　　migrate – v. travel from one place to another at the same time each year

　　globe – n. the world

　　habitat – n. the natural environment of a plant or animal

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

　　breed – v. to produce young animals

　　essential – adj. completely necessary

　　ecologist – n. a person who studies the relationship between living things and the environment

　　conservation – n. an organized effort that aims to protect animals and natural resources

　　ecosystem⁹ – n. all the living things in a particular area, as well as the ways the things affect each other and the environment

1 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。

2 migratory   

n.候鸟，迁移

参考例句：

• Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。
• This does not negate the idea of migratory aptitude.这并没有否定迁移能力这一概念。

3 migration   

n.迁移，移居，（鸟类等的）迁徙

参考例句：

• Swallows begin their migration south in autumn.燕子在秋季开始向南方迁移。
• He described the vernal migration of birds in detail.他详细地描述了鸟的春季移居。

4 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

5 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

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 catfish   

n.鲶鱼

参考例句：

• Huge catfish are skinned and dressed by hand.用手剥去巨鲇的皮并剖洗干净。
• We gigged for catfish off the pier.我们在码头以鱼叉叉鲶鱼。

8 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

9 ecosystem   

n.生态系统

参考例句：

• This destroyed the ecosystem of the island.这样破坏了岛上的生态系统。
• We all have an interest in maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.维持生态系统的完整是我们共同的利益。

10 ecosystems   

n.生态系统( ecosystem的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There are highly sensitive and delicately balanced ecosystems in the forest. 森林里有高度敏感、灵敏平衡的各种生态系统。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Madagascar's ecosystems range from rainforest to semi-desert. 马达加斯加生态系统类型多样，从雨林到半荒漠等不一而足。 来自辞典例句

11 pipelines   

管道( pipeline的名词复数 )； 输油管道； 在考虑（或规划、准备） 中； 在酿中

参考例句：

• The oil is carried to the oil refinery by pipelines. 石油通过输油管输送到炼油厂。
• The oil carried in pipelines. 石油用管道输送。

12 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

13 migrations   

n.迁移，移居( migration的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• It foundered during the turmoils accompanying the Great Migrations. 它在随着民族大迁徙而出现的混乱中崩溃。 来自辞典例句
• Birds also have built-in timepieces which send them off on fall and spring migrations. 鸟类也有天生的时间感应器指导它们秋春迁移。 来自互联网