Unit 2 Wildlife Conservation
Part Ⅰ Getting ready
gravely：严重 species：物种 extinct：灭种 on the brink：在边缘
can't afford to wait any more：不能再等待 take action：采取行动 abbreviations ：缩写 acronyms：首字母缩略词
IUCN -- International Union for the Conservation of Nature：世界自然保护联盟
convention：会议;全体与会者;国际公约;惯例，习俗，规矩 CITES -- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species：华盛顿公约，濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约 conservation： 保存;保护;避免浪费;对自然环境的保护 UNEP -- United Nations Environmental Program：联合国环境规划署
WWF -- World Wide Fund for Nature ：世界自然基金会 regulate：调节;控制，管理
promote the conservation：促进保护
under the auspices of：在…的帮助或支持下;有…赞助的 prohibit：禁止
endangered species：濒危野生动植物种 encourage partnerships in doing sth：鼓励伙伴 partnership：伙伴关系;合伙人身份;合作关系;合营公司 inspiring information：鼓舞人心的信息 improve their quality of life：改善生活品质 without compromising：不妥协 enable sb to do sth：使……能 raise funds for ：筹款 giant panda：大熊猫 a global network：全球网 Gland：格兰德 Switzerland：瑞士
biological diversity：生物多样性 ecosystem services：生态系统服务 variety：种类
a breathable atmosphere：洁净的（能够呼吸的）空气 reduce in number ：数量减少
role：任务
negligible：以忽略的;微不足道的 apes：猿 whales：鲸 seals：海豹
marine turtles：海龟 walrus： 海象 dolphins：海豚 crocodiles：鳄鱼
bludgeon：攻击;威胁，强迫 campaign：运动 sanctuaries：庇护所 sea sanctuary：海洋保护区
protected-nesting sites ：受保护的营巢区 nesting site： 营巢区;筑巢区;巢址 pollute：污染 ivory：象牙 porpoise：动鼠海豚 come into force：开始生效 habitat：（动物的）栖息地，住处 compromise：妥协 roll off：辗轧;下降
breed：繁殖
public appeal：公众诉求;呼吁 slaughter：屠宰（动物）;大屠杀 make a donation：捐款
Wild animals and wild plants and the wild places where they live are gravely threatened almost everywhere. One species has become extinct in each year of this century; and many hundreds are now on the brink. We can't afford to wait any more. It is time that we take action.
A The following words and phrases will appear in this unit. Listen carefully and study the definitions. 1. habitat: the natural home of a planet or animal
2. species: a group of plants or animals of the same kind, which are alike in all important ways and can breed together 3. bludgeon: hit with a heavy object 4. census: a count of a total population
5. logistics: the planning and implementation of the details of any operation
6. degrade: bring down
7. adversely: in the manner of going against, opposing
8. refuge: a place that provides protection or shelter from danger 9. aquatic: living in or on water
10. mussel: a small sea animal living inside a black shell whose soft body can be eaten as food (淡菜)
11. staple food: basic food or main food that one normally eats 12. picky eater: someone who is very careful about choosing only what they like to eat
13. shrink: to become or cause to become smaller in size
14. case study: a detailed analytical study of a person or something with a view to making generalizations
B Listen to some abbreviations and acronyms of some organizations and some information about them. Fill in the blanks. Audioscript:
1. IUCN -- International Union for the Conservation of Nature, is the organization established by the United Nations to promote the conservation of wildlife and habitats as part of the national policies of member states.
2. CITES -- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. is an international agreement under the auspices of the IUCN with the aim of regulating trade in endangered species of animals and plants. The agreement came into force in 1975 and by 1991 had been signed by 110 states. It prohibits any trade in a category of 8,000 highly endangered species and controls trade in a further 30,000 species.
3. UNEP -- United Nations Environmental Program, aims to provide leadership and encourage partnerships in caring for the environment by inspiring information and enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
4. WWF -- World Wide Fund for Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund), is an international organization established in 1961 to raise funds for conservation by public appeal. Projects include conservation of particular species, for example, the tiger and giant panda. With almost five million supporters distributed throughout
five continents, WWF has a global network active in over 90 countries. Its headquarters are in Gland, Switzerland. Biological diversity provides us with a variety of special \"ecosystem services\atmosphere and natural climate control. However, many kinds of wild animals have been so reduced in number that their role in the ecosystem is negligible. Animals like the great apes, the whales, seals, and marine turtles are under particular pressure.
C Listen to the conversation. Match column A, which is a list of the names of some endangered animals, with column B, which gives the information about those endangered animals. Then anwser the questions.
Column A 1. Whales 2 2. Seals 4 3. Turtles 5 4. Crocodiles 5. 'Walruses (海3 象.) Column B bludgeoned to death for fur coats killed to make handbags and shoes hunted for their ivory hunted to extinction 1.6 eggs rolled off and slaughtered for meat and oil 6. Dolphins Questions:
1. What do people at the World Wildlife Fund work for according to the woman?
They work to conserve natural areas that contain endangered wildlife.
2. What are they doing in order to protect those endangered animals? They are campaigning to provide sea sanctuaries for some of these endangered species. Protected-nesting sites for turtles have been set up.
3. Can you guess the meaning of \"sea sanctuaries\"?
It refers to the places of safety in the sea where sea animals are protected and allowed to live freely. Audioscript:
A: Hello, I'm calling on behalf of the World Wildlife Fund. B: The what?
A: The World Wildlife Fund. If you've got a few minutes I'd like to
tell you what that means. B: Oh, all right.
A: We work to conserve natural areas that contain endangered
wildlife. The seas, for example, have become polluted by the industrialized world; whales are being hunted to extinction; turtles are rolled off their eggs when they come ashore to breed or are slaughtered for their meat and oil... B: Oh.
A: Crocodiles are killed to make handbags and shoes; walruses are
hunted for their ivory. B: I see.
A: Seals are bludgeoned to death to provide fur coats and the threat
of extinction hangs over several species of whale, dolphin and porpoise. B: Really.
A: We are now campaigning to provide sea sanctuaries for some of
these endangered species.
B: Very interesting.
A: Aided by our campaign, protected nesting sites for turtles have
already been set up. As you can see, this is very valuable work and I wonder therefore if you'd like to make a donation?
Part II Christmas bird counts
be deemed：（被）认为，视为，断定 fortunes ：命运 critically：危急;严重 perilous：危险的，冒险的 at risk of ：有……危险 imminent extinction：即将灭绝 lose a species：丧失一个物种 residents：居民 maintaining：保持 sustain：维持;支撑;忍受 quality：质量
sustaining the quality of lives ：维持生活质量
John James Audubon ：约翰·詹姆斯·奥杜邦，1785年4月26日-1851年1月27日)，美国画家、博物学家，他绘制的鸟类图
鉴被称作“美国国宝”
illustrate：说明；描绘；画插图 in their natural habitats：自然居住地
conservationist：自然资源保护者，生态环境保护者 feather：羽毛，翎毛 manufacture：制造 sponsored by ：赞助;发起
the National Audubon Society：全国奥杜邦（鸟类保护）协会 Bermuda：百慕大群岛（北大西洋西部群岛） Pacific islands：太平洋岛屿 volunteer：志愿者 bird count：鸟类的清点 experienced：有经验的
bird watcher：野鸟观察者，鸟类观察家 diameter：直径 observe：观察
actually ：实际上，实质上，事实上，几乎 longest-running：播放时间最长的 census：人口普查，统计;人口财产调查 ornithology：鸟类学;鸟学 scheduled：排定，进度表 logistics： 组织工作
ideal： 理想；目标
virtually：实际上，实质上，事实上，几乎 identify ：识别，认出 Panama：巴拿马 esthetic value：审美价值 indicator：指示器
habitat alteration：栖息地变更 signal：信号，暗号;预兆，征象 degrade： 降低，贬低;使降级 degradation：退化;堕落;降级 adversely：反对;不利地;有害地 annual：每年
Christmas bird counts：对诞（岛）数鸟 decline：下降
One in eight of the world's bird species is deemed globally threatened and the fortunes of 198 critically endangered species are now so perilous that they are at risk of imminent extinction. Many people feel that every time we lose a species, the world becomes a poorer place. The more successful we are at maintaining or improving the living conditions of the Earth's
many residents, the better our chances will be of sustaining the quality of all species' lives on Earth.
A Listen to a news report. While listening for the first time, add more key words in the notes column according to the following cues. While listening for the second time, supply the missing information.
Event: Christmas bird counts Time: from Christmas to Jan. 3rd
Sponsored by: the National Audubon Society Participants:
Numbers: more than 40,000 volunteers
Background: from all 50 states of the U.S., every Canadian
province, parts of Central and South America', Bermuda, the West Indies and Pacific islands
Number of bird counts this year: more than 1 600 separate bird
counts
The logistics of bird counts: Each individual count is in a 15 mile
diameter circle around the exact center point.
Origin of the National Audubon Society: It was named after an
American artist John James Audubon, who illustrated birds in their natural habitats. The Society was founded in the late 1800s by conservationists concerned with the decline of birds. B Now try this: listen to a more authentic version of the report. Complete the summary of this year's Christmas bird counts. Christmas bird counts will start from Christmas to January 3rd., sponsored by the National Audubon Society. This year more than 40 000 volunteers from the U.S., Canada, parts of Central and South America, Bermuda, the West Indies and Pacific islands will be outside counting birds. The counts are not only for experienced bird watchers but anyone that is interested or concerned as well. This year more than 1 600 separate bird counts have been scheduled. Some would have as few as 10 people taking part, others with hundreds. Every individual count is in a 15 mile diameter circle around the exact center point. Bird counters can get a good idea of the total bird populations within the count circle based on the number of birds they actually see.
The traditional Christmas bird count is the longest-running bird census in ornithology. Audioscript:
John James Audubon was an American artist in the early 1800s, who illustrated birds in their natural habitats. The Society named after him was founded in the late 1800s by conservationists concerned with the decline of birds, which were being killed so their feathers could be used in the manufacture of women's hats. Sponsored by the National Audubon Society, more than 40 000 volunteers will be outside counting birds from today until January 3rd. Volunteers from all 50 states of the United States, every Canadian province, parts of Central and South America, Bermuda, the West Indies and Pacific islands have begun to count and record every individual bird and bird species observed during the two and one half week period of the count.
Jeffrey LeBaron is the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count editor. He says the count is the longest-running bird census in ornithology.
This year, according to Mr. LeBaron , more than 1 600 separate bird counts have been scheduled. Some would have as few as 10
people taking part, others with hundreds. The logistics of the Christmas bird count, he adds, are simple.
\"Each individual count is in a circle. It's a 15 mile diameter circle, um, around the exact center point. And it's always the exactly same area that's done every year, usually, even on the same weekend during the count period. And what the ideal would be, which is virtually impossible, is this census: every single individual bird within that circle on the count day.\"
Mr. LeBaron says experienced bird counters can get a good idea of the total bird populations within the count circle based on the number of birds they actually see. The editor points out, however, that the counts are not only for experienced bird watchers.
\"Anybody that is interested or concerned can become involved. Beginners will go out in a party with experienced individuals who know both the area and the birds in the area, in the field where more eyes and ears are better. And then anybody can point out a bird, and someone in the field will always be able to identify the bird.\" C Now listen to what Mr. Lebaron says about the information concerning birds. Complete the outline.
Outline
I. Total number of known species -- about 9 300 II. Habitat
A. Larger numbers living in the warmer climates e.g. more than 300 different species counted in Panama B. far fewer species native to colder climates
III. Value
A. importance to the environment
1. indicator of the quality of environment 2. sensitive to habitat alteration
B. esthetic value
1. getting pleasure out of looking at birds and listening to birds
2. mental quality of life degraded without birds
IV. Birds' population
A. some species -- declining B. many types -- increasing
Audioscript:
Mr. LeBaron says there are about 9 300 different known species of birds. Larger numbers of them live in the warmer climates. For example, more than 300 different species have been counted in Panama, while far fewer species are native to colder climates. Aside from their esthetic value, Mr. LeBaron says birds are important to the environment because they can signal changes in it.
\"Birds are one of the best indicators that we have of the quality of the environment within the given area. Whether it is a relatively local area, or even primarily on the worldwide bases, they are one of the first things to be altered. They are quite sensitive to a habitat alteration or to other threats. And often times when birds are disappearing out of the area, it just means there is a degradation of the quality of the habitat within that area which will adversely affect everything in there including humans.\"
National Audubon Society editor Jeffrey LeBaron calls the world's bird populations a source of wealth that humans must protect. \"People get so much pleasure out of looking at birds and listening to birds. And if they start disappearing just the er, the quality of life,
um, may be not physically, but the mental quality of life can be degraded quickly.\"
Jeffrey LeBaron says that while the National Audubon Society's annual Christmas bird counts show a decline in some species, many types of birds are actually increasing their populations.
Part III Dolphin captivity
in captivity：养在笼子（或池子，等）里；囚禁 announcer：播音员
thesis statements：文意，简述论文，论文主题 Colorado Public Radio：科罗拉多州公共广播电台 aquatic park：水上公园
Denver：丹佛（美国科罗拉多州） ire： 愤怒 dolphin ：海豚
instigate：教唆;煽动;激起
a former navy dolphin trainer ：前海军海豚训练员 Florida：佛罗里达州 ranges：范围
family-oriented：面向家庭的；群居的
concrete tank：混凝土水箱，混凝土油罐，混凝土贮水池
sonar：声呐装置
bounce off：试探（某人对某一新设想和意见），大发议论 ocean explorer：海洋探险家 reject：拒绝;抛弃
suicidal：自杀的，自杀性的;自我毁灭的，自取灭亡的;于己不利 pool ：池子
a very sophisticated brain：发达的大脑
sophisticated：复杂的;精致的;富有经验的;深奥微妙的 Portland：波特兰 (俄勒冈州) Oregon.：俄勒冈州
captive dolphins ：被捕的海豚
Sarasota Bay：萨拉索塔湾（佛罗里达州） Florida：佛罗里达州 the census data ：统计数据 distribution：分配，分布 debate：讨论;辩论;争论 marine mammal：海洋哺乳动物 organisms：有机体;生物 operate：操作，运行 metabolically：代谢的
anti-educational：对抗教育，反教育，逆教育 natural behavior ：自然行为
alter：改变;更改 stranded：处于困境的 beach：海滩
fractured ribs or jaws： 头骨、肋骨、下颌骨骨折 pros：同意，支持 cons：反对
We have learned a great deal by observing the animals kept in the zoo. However, wildlife is wild. Do you think we are protecting them or making them suffer by keeping them in captivity?
A The following words are used in the news interview. Listen to the words first. Study the definitions carefully. 1. ire: anger
2. instigate: provoke to some action
3. sonar: a method for finding and locating objects under water by means of the sound waves they reflect or produce
4. bounce (off): (sound or light) reach the surface and is reflected back
5. marine: of, near or living in the sea
6. breed: produce offspring
7. metabolically: pertaining to what is needed to function 8. alter: change
9. stranded: left abandoned
B Listen to the news interview. There are five persons in it. Match column A with column B to indicate who's who. Then write out the thesis statements they are arguing about.
Column A Column B 1. AlanTu 2. Peter Jones 3. Rick Troud 4. Deborah Duffield 5. Jean Michel Cousteau Thesis Statement No. 1:
Dolphins should be kept in captivity.
1 an announcer for Colorado Public 1 <=1 Radio (CPR) 3 <=2 2 a former navy dolphin trainer 4 <=3 3 a biology professor 5 <=4 4 an environmentalist & explorer 2 <=5 5 a reporter for CPR Thesis Statement No. 2:
There are educational benefits of keeping marine mammals in captivity.
C Now try this: listen to a more authentic version of the interview. Write out each person's pros (agree with the thesis) or cons (disagree with the thesis) for each thesis statement in note form.
Dolphins should be kept in captivity Pros Cons can't live full lives ●separated from mother--stress Rick / Troud (family-oriented ●concrete tank -- sonar bouncing off-- can't swim more Jean Michel / rejecting captivity -- suicidal --sophisticated brain Cousteau little difference in average Deborah age of death: life getting Duffield better for captive dolphins anti-educational ●natural behavior patterns -- altered Rick / Troud death; suffering from fractured skulls, ribs or jaws playing an important role in basic understanding of the Deborah animals -- can't learn from / Duffield animals in the wild how they operate, breed, what they need, etc. Audioscript:
●beating each other to / A -- Alan Tu R --Rick Troud D -- Deborah Duffield P -- Peter Jones J --Jean Michel Cousteau [Alan Tu is an announcer for Colorado Public Radio; Peter Jones is a reporter for Colorado Public Radio. The other speakers are identified in the report.]
A: A planned aquatic park in Denver is raising the ire of animal
rights activists who object to a proposal to include a captive dolphin display. Although officials for Colorado's Ocean Journeys say they have yet to make a final decision on the issue, local and national activists have already instigated a \"No Dolphins in Denver\" campaign. As Colorado Public Radio's Peter Jones reports, the battle lines have been clearly drawn. P:Rick Troud, a former navy dolphin trainer based in Florida, is
taking an active role in the \"No Dolphins\" campaign. R:Average age in the wild ranges anywhere in some of the studies
between 30 and 40 years of age. In captivity, you can expect a dolphin to live maybe 5.13 years, and every 7 years in captivity the dolphin population is dead.
P:According to Troud, there are many reasons why dolphins can't
live full lives in captivity.
R:If you take a look at where the real dolphin is in the real ocean,
you find the dolphin who swims 40 miles a day, is very
family-oriented. These animals are separated from their mothers; that's a stress. You put them in a concrete tank where their sonar bounces off the walls, they can't swim in the same amount of time and direction that they can in the wild. P:Environmentalist and ocean explorer, Jean Michel Cousteau: J: There are some animals which reject captivity right away, and
they're very suicidal. I've had one of those in my own arms for many days. The next morning when I came to take care of him, he was dead. And what he'd done was to swim as fast as he could from one end of the pool on ... to the other side and destroyed his head by hitting the wall. They have a very sophisticated brain. I don't think we have any rights to play with the lives of these animals.
P:Cousteau's anti-captivity position is challenged by Dr. Deborah
Duffield, a biology professor at Portland State College in Oregon. Her 1990 study compared captive dolphins to the wild population of Sarasota Bay, Florida. Among other findings, the study showed little if any difference in the average age of death. And Duffield says life is generally getting better for captive dolphins.
D: The census data say that every time I do a census, I've got older
and older animals in it as well as this normal age distribution that we've been looking at. So my feeling is that the trend in captivity has been that the group of animals that we're following are getting older, and if they continue to do that over the next five years, they will then indeed be older than the wild population.
P:There is also a debate over the educational benefits of keeping
marine mammals in captivity. According to Duffield, captive dolphins play an important role in our basic understanding of the animals.
D: I firmly believe that we cannot learn anything about organisms
that we share this world with if we do not understand how they live in an environment, and what they do, and that watching them go by in the wild will not do it. I cannot tell what an animal needs, unless I know how it operates, how it breeds, what it needs metabolically, and I can't learn that from animals in the wild.
P:But Troud says the dolphin displays are anti-educational because
the animals' natural behavior patterns are altered by captivity.
R:In the wild, you don't have dolphins who beat each other to death.
There are no dolphins that I've ever seen stranded on the beach, who are suffering from fractured skulls, fractured ribs or fractured jaws, as is the case in captivity.
P:The Ocean Journey board will take all factors into consideration
before making a final decision on whether to include dolphins in the park. For Colorado Public Radio, I'm Peter Jones.
Part IV More about the topic:
Wildlife in danger
a profound effect：深远的影响 ecosystems：生态系统 upsetting：倾复 unclear：不清楚
adapt enough to：适应得够 adapt to：使适应于， 能应付 survive：活命 mountain：山 forest：林
giant panda：大熊猫
roughly：大约 bamboo：竹子 staple food：主食
Michigan State University：密歇根州立大学 a dramatic impact：巨大影响
the long-term solution：长期的解决方案 long-term：长期的;长远 heat-resistant： 耐热的，抗热的 notoriously： 恶名昭彰地;声名狼藉地 picky eater：好挑食
shrink：收缩，皱缩;（使）缩水;退缩，畏缩 shrinking fish：水温高鱼变小 consequence：结果 metabolic：新陈代谢的 metabolic rates：代谢率 oxygen：氧气 stay alive：活着 predict： 预言，预测
kill off：消灭，一个接一个地杀死 projection：预测;规划，设计 relatively： 关系上地;相对地;比较 calculate：计算;估计;打算，计划;旨在
case study：个案研究;专题;研究实例;范例分析 unexpectedly：未料到地，意外地;竟;居然;骤然 North Atlantic cod：北大西洋鳕鱼 underestimate：低估 haddock：小口鳕，黑线鳕
Climate change is having a profound effect on ecosystems around the world, upsetting and altering the lives of numerous species of animals. As temperatures continue to rise, it's unclear whether all species will be able to adapt enough to survive, especially as other species in their ecosystems adapt by getting smaller or larger.
A In the following report, you will learn some facts about the giant panda, an endangered species in China. Listen carefully and supply the missing information.
There are roughly 1 600 pandas living in the wild, mainly in the mountain forests of western China. Bamboo is their staple food. And they eat up to 38 kg a day. But some species of the plant take many years to grow, which means they don't adapt to climate change. Scientists are now predicting that an increasing temperature of even 2°C will kill off the species the pandas need to survive. One of the study's authors is Professor Jack Lu of Michigan State University.
\"Even by the middle of the century, this century, the impact will be very obvious. And by the end of the century, in many areas, 100 percent of this bamboo will be gone. And that's really a dramatic impact that people have not realized\". Reducing global warming is the long-term solution and creating new panda habitats is another. It may also be possible to introduce new species of bamboo that are heat-resistant. But unfortunately, pandas are notoriously picky eaters and may reject even a slight change to their diet. Audioscript:
There are roughly 1 600 pandas living in the wild, mainly in the mountain forests of western China. Bamboo is their staple food. And they eat up to 38 kg a day. But some species of the plant take many years to grow, which means they don't adapt to climate change. Scientists are now predicting that an increasing temperature of even 2°C will kill off the species the pandas need to survive. One of the study's authors is Professor Jack Lu of Michigan State University. \"Even by the middle of the century, this century, the impact will be very obvious. And by the end of the century, in many areas, 100 percent of this bamboo will be gone. And that's really a dramatic impact that people haven not realized\". Reducing global warming is the long-term solution and creating new panda habitats is another. It
may also be possible to introduce new species of bamboo that are heat-resistant. But unfortunately, pandas are notoriously picky eaters and may reject even a slight change to their diet.
B The following report is about shrinking fish found in the sea as a consequence of global warming. While listening for the first time, note down as many key words as you can in the left-hand column. After the second listening, fill in the gaps in the summary in the right-hand column with the help of the notes.
Notes Summary 参考答案：projections The global temperature rises have global temperature rises unexpectedly large impacts on fish fish body size metabolic rates oxygen 2050 shrink in size by between 14 and 24% body size . As ocean temperatures increase, the body temperature and metabolic rates of the fish also increase. As a result, fish use more oxygen to stay alive. It is predicted that up to 2050, fish will shrink in size by between 14 and 24 percent, with the the Indian and Atlantic Indian and Atlantic Oceans worst Oceans the Poles the North Sea underestimate affected. The warming waters are likely to drive fish more towards the Poles. The case studies on North Atlantic cod and haddock show that North Atlantic cod and these fish displayed greater decreases haddock in actual body size than the models predicted. Audioscript:
Although projections of global temperature rises show relatively small changes at the bottom of the oceans, the resulting impacts on fish body size are \"unexpectedly large\research. As ocean temperatures increase, so do the body temperatures and metabolic rates of the fish. This means they use more oxygen to stay alive and, according to the researchers, they have less avalilable for growth.
They've calculated that up to 2050, fish will shrink in size by between 14 and 24 percent, with the Indian and Atlantic Oceans worst affected. The warming waters are also likely to drive fish more towards the poles, leading to smaller species living in areas like the North Sea.
According to the scientists, their models may underestimate the potential impacts. When they looked at case studies involving North Atlantic cod and haddock, they found that recorded data on these fish showed greater decreases in actual body size than the models predicted.
Part V Do you know ...?
catalog：目录，目录册，目录簿 inhabit v.：居住
the planet：这个行星（地球） estimate：估计，预测;报价， exceeding：胜过
in the form of parks：在公园的形式下 wildlife refuge：野生动物保护区 reserve：保护区，保存，储备 aquatic animal：水生动物 crayfish：淡水螯虾（肉）;龙虾 mussel：贻贝，蚌类;淡菜
In general, an endangered species is one that's in immediate danger of becoming extinct. Its numbers are usually low, and it needs protection in order to survive.
Listen to some facts about endangered species. Pay special attention to the numbers. Audioscript:
● Scientists have cataloged more than one and one-half million of
the species that exist on Earth today. By some recent estimates, at least 20 times that many species inhabit the planet. ● Up to 100 species become extinct every day. Scientists estimate
that the total number of species lost each year may climb to 40,000 by the year 2000, a rate far exceeding any in the last 65 million years.
● Around the world more than 3 500 protected areas exist in the
form of parks, wildlife refuges and other reserves. These areas cover a total of about 2 million square miles (5 million square km, or 3% of our total land area).
● Today, more than 200 animal species in the United States are
classified as endangered. More than 1,000 animal species are endangered worldwide.
● Little-noticed aquatic animals are in big trouble. In North America,
a third of our fish species, two-thirds of our crayfish species and nearly three-quarters of the mussel species are in trouble.
Part VI Reminder of key points in
this unit
Verb & Verb Phrase Part I regulate Phrase under the auspices conservation of come into force habitat compromise roll off breed slaughter bludgeon convention partnership public appeal walrus sea sanctuary longest-running virtually adversely Noun & Noun Other make a donation nesting site bird count volunteer Pacific islands ornithology Part II signal degrade Part instigate logistics diameter census bird watcher conservationist feather Panama esthetic value indicator habitat alteration degradation ire concrete tank sonar census debate marine mammal fractured aquatic park in captivity family-oriented suicidal sophisticated stranded skull/rib/jaw Noun & Noun Other III bounce off reject alter Verb & Verb Phrase Part adapt to IV predict kill off reject stay alive calculate shrink underestimate catalog inhabit Phrase mountain forest staple food picky eater projection oxygen case study dramatic long-term heat-resistant notoriously relatively unexpectedly North Atlantic cod metabolic haddock estimate wildlife refuge reserve aquatic animal crayfish mussel Part VII Watch and enjoy
You're going to watch a video clip taken from Saving Species, a program by National Geographic Society. Watch carefully and decide whether the following statements are True or False. Write \"T\" or \"F\" for each statement.
1. T The national symbol of the US also appears on the list of the endangered species.
2. F In 1973, the Europeans passed a law to save their wild creatures.
3. T The Endangered Species Act protects the lives and habitats of plants and animals in immediate danger of extinction. 4. T Today, there are over a thousand species on the list of endangered species in the America.
5. T According to Professor Edward O. Wilson, we are in the midst of a biological catastohpe.
6. T Professor Eddward O. Wilson believes that we human beings depend utterly on other creatures for our very survival and therefore they're our companions in the biosphere. Videoscript::
The first Europeans on this continent had a common enemy to conquer. It was called nature. America seemed to be an endless expanse of hostile wilderness. Bison wandered along the Potomac. Grizzly bears strolled the beaches of California. Human beings did not even know it was possible for a species to go extinct, but we
learned ... Hundreds of creatures slipped into extinction. Even our national symbol was disappearing before our eyes. But then America did something no other country had ever done. In 1973, we passed a law to save our wild creatures. The Endangered Species Act protects the lives and habitats of plants and animals in immediate danger of extinction. Today, there are over a thousand species on the list. David and Susan's quest to photograph the endangered species of America has taken them over hundreds of thousands of miles through all 50 states and every conceivable American landscape. (Susan's voice) \"When you're driving across America, you
understand why so many plants and animals are endangered. They're losing their homes. We are building a human world and losing a wild one.\" From Wyoming, the road goes east to Cambridge,
Massachusetts. But they're not going to find an endangered creature, they're meeting one of the greatest experts on why species go extinct -- distinguished scientist, Edward O. Wilson. (Edward's voice) \" It's a sobering fact there is an extinction crisis. There have always been species going extinct from time to time. But now human activity has pushed it up a hundred to a thousand times. We are in the midst of a biological catastrophe. That's the greatest since the end of the age of dinosaurs 65 million years ago. What I hope you'll succeed in doing is to make endangered species a vivid presence in the lives of people.
Make it clear to them that every endangered species has a name, has a billion year history, has a place in the world. Bring us face to face with each one of those species. Make us know that they're our companions in the biosphere. They're not just something out there you look at once in a while, but they're part of our existence. They're part of us. Human beings are the masters of this world now. We can take these animals and plants with us as we travel into the future or we can say good-bye and send them into the night. But whether we realize it or not, we depend utterly on other creatures for our very survival. They are part of our existence. They are part of us.\"
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