2 . Wetlands occur wherever water meets land. Wetlands exist in every country and in every climatic zone. Healthy wetlands store carbon, regulate the water cycle, and support 40% of the world’s biodiversity.

Jiangxi Poyang Lake Nanji Wetlands

Nanji Wetlands is located in the southern part of the main lake area of Poyang Lake, covering a total area of 33,300 hectares. It is an incredibly valuable ecosystem and serves as a vital habitat for various wetland bird species, including many national first-class and second-class protected animals.

Anhui Shengjin Lake National Nature Reserve

The Anhui Shengjin Lake National Nature Reserve is a freshwater lake wetland, with an area of 33,333 hectares. It is primarily set up as the wintering grounds of rare birds. Within the reserve, there are a total of 142 bird species, including 66 species of migratory (迁徙的) birds. This reserve holds the distinction of being the largest natural wintering ground for the hooded crane (丹顶鹤) population worldwide.

Gansu Yellow River Shouqu Wetlands

The Gansu Yellow River Shouqu National Nature Reserve is located within Maqu county. It covers a total area of 203,401 hectares, with 132,067 hectares intended for wetland conservation. The primary objective of this reserve is to protect the highland wetland ecosystem, as well as the habitat of migratory birds, particularly the black-necked crane. In February 2020, it was officially approved as a Wetland of International Importance.

Guangdong Nanpeng Islands Reserve

Established in 2003, Guangdong Nanpeng Islands Reserve covers a total area of 35,679 hectares. In 2015, it was recognized and included in the International Important Wetlands Directory. The main focus of the reserve is to protect the unique underwater natural landscape, the ecosystems of the nearby coastal waters, the important rare and endangered marine (海洋的) animals.

1. Which wetland covers the largest area?

A．Nanji Wetlands.

B．Shengjin Lake National Nature Reserve.

C．Shouqu Wetlands.

D．Guangdong Nanpeng Islands Reserve.

2. What is the primary purpose of founding Shengjin Lake National Nature Reserve?

A．To preserve natural landscapes.

B．To house rare birds in winter.

C．To reproduce hooded cranes.

D．To store freshwater.

3. What does Guangdong Nanpeng Islands Reserve mainly protect?

A．Highland wetland ecosystem.	B．Marine ecosystems.
C．Underwater animals.	D．Bird habitats.

4 . EO Photography Competition 2024

       Thank you to everyone who participated in the Climate Crisis Photography Competition 2023. The winners will be announced on our website and be notified (通知) via email by September 23, 2023.
       The Winner of the Earth. Org “Overall Best Environmental Photo” 2023 will be awarded US $500. The winners of the two sub-categories “Wildlife in Peril” 2023 and “Climate Action” 2023 will be awarded US $250 each.
       Our Nature and Wildlife Photo Competition 2024 is now open for submissions (提交), where you will have the opportunity to show your work to the world, and win one of three cash prizes. All entries must be received by April 26th, 2024.
EO Photography Competition 2024: Categories
1.Wildlife in Peril
       Document or highlight the biodiversity and wildlife struggles caused by climate change and human activities. For example: trapped or endangered animals.
2.Climate Action
       Photographs that capture (拍摄) environmental protests, climate solutions in practice, or actions promoting change.
Note:
        Don’t submit: photographs of pets, images that are blurry (模糊的) or beautiful landscape works that do not show the theme of the categories.
How To Enter
       To enter the EO Climate Crisis Photography Competition 2024, participants must submit their best 3 photographs for each category (max 6 altogether).
       Please use the following format (格式) for submitting your photos: “Category_Name”. If you don’t submit your photos using the format, they will not be considered.
2024 Prizes
       All winners will be invited to take over the Earth. Org Instagram page for a week each.
       All winners will be interviewed for articles on Earth. Org and given the chance to show their work in our articles.
       Winners will be announced on our website and notified via email by June 21st, 2024.
       The 20 best photos selected from all participants will also be invited to join our network of EO Photographers.
2024 Photography Competition Judges
       They will be announced on September 29th, 2023.
1. What is the final date for competition entries to be submitted?

A．September 23rd, 2023.	B．September 29th, 2023.
C．April 26th, 2024.	D．June 21st, 2024.

2. Which of the following will not be accepted?

A．Submitting photographs of wildlife.

B．Using the “Category_Name” format.

C．Showing the theme of protecting nature.

D．Submitting 6 photographs for each category.

3. What is the award that all winners will get?

A．US $500 in prize money.

B．Their works shown in Earth. Org’ s articles.

C．Becoming Earth. Org’s full-time photographers.

D．Taking over the Earth. Org Instagram page for a month.

5 . The Best Caves in The World

Hang Son Doong, Vietnam

Natural caves don’t come much larger than Hang Son Doong, close to the border between Laos and Vietnam. This cave possesses the largest cross-section of any known cave on the planet, a vast area that is difficult to describe. Supposedly, a Boeing 747 could fly through without damaging its wings, but that doesn’t really do justice to the vastness of Hang Son Doong. The stalactites (钟乳石) here are pretty massive too, with some reaching up to 80 metres.

Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

Glowworms (萤火虫) are there, as far as the eye can see. Okay, not literally, but the Waitomo Cave system on New Zealand’s North Island is best-known for the fluorescent fauna that light up the walls, giving it the not-particularly-creative but completely acceptable “Glowworm Caves” nickname. They are more accessible than other caves on this list, with rafting and adventure tours available to those looking for something a little more thrilling.

Mammoth Cave, the USA

If you have certain expectations from somewhere called “Mammoth Cave”, that is entirely understandable. Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the world’s longest known cave system, an incredible 420 miles of underground wonder. That’s twice as long as the next longest, by the way, although it isn’t unusual for the USA to go all out on such things.

Reed Flute (芦笛) Cave, China

Named after the reeds that grow outside, which are used to make flutes, obviously, the Reed Flute Cave’s walls are covered with inscriptions from centuries gone by—if evidence was needed that people have been paying attention to this place for a long old time. The inside part of the cave is also lit up by multicoloured lights, giving it a real otherworldly theme that adds weight to the nickname.

1. What is special about Hang Son Doong?

A．It was once a base of a factory.

B．It is the deepest cave in the world.

C．It has the highest stalactites in the world.

D．It owns the largest cross-section in the world.

2. Which of the following can be much easier to enter?

A．Hang Son Doong.	B．Waitomo Caves.
C．Mammoth Cave.	D．Reed Flute Cave.

3. Which country probably has the longest cave system in the world?

A．Vietnam.

B．New Zealand.

C．The USA.

D．China.

10 . 在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Peru is a country on the Pacific coast of South America with three main areas. Flying from Cusco into the Amazon rainforest, you will spend three days     1     (hike) and exploring nature. You will be     2     (amaze) by Incas’ dry stone method of building in Machu Picchu. In Lake Titicaca, the Uros homes are made     3     water plants from the lake.