1 . As the world faces extinction crisis and severe climate change, a growing body of scientific research has found that we should set aside more protected areas and manage them well.
Protected areas are extremely important for conservation and can help protect against habitat loss and other human activities. In many areas they may be the only places that can support the survival of some species.
Globally we’ve protected nearly 17% of our lands and 7% of the ocean, but a study published in Nature found that current protected areas on their own are too small or poorly connected to ensure the long-term survival of about half of all mammals studied — between 1,700 and 2,500 species.
If current protected areas don’t do enough, how do we do it better? The researchers suggest that first we need to increase the size and number of protected areas and improve the connectivity between them. But above all, they need to be managed with a clear understanding of the animals’ habitat needs.
In a recent research, after studying 1,500 protected areas with 27,000 waterbird populations in 68 countries, researchers found that areas that were actively managed for waterbirds — such as by preventing hunting or restoring wetlands — were more successful, and often those that were larger had better results, too.
If protected areas are well taken care of, we can not only protect biodiversity (生物多样性) but also achieve other benefits. One of those benefits is to avoid runaway climate change. As we know, the earth is becoming warmer and warmer. Protecting 30% of lands could provide one-third of the reductions needed to limit global warming emissions to under 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Of course, this work won’t be easy. The next step, according to researchers, is to promote understanding and communicating the multiple benefits of increasing protected areas, and drive more support from government and local communities.
1. Why are protected areas of great importance?A.They contribute to conserving wildlife. |
B.They can influence the researches of scientists. |
C.They are the only places for species to survive. |
D.They strengthen the animal-human relationship. |
A.Increasing animal species. |
B.Connecting with nearby areas. |
C.Enlarging the size of protected areas. |
D.Knowing the animals’ habitat needs well. |
A.Protected areas helped avoid severe climate. |
B.Suitable measures brought about better results. |
C.Waterbirds were protected well in protected areas. |
D.Restoring wetland was the best protection for waterbirds. |
A.Measures to be taken. |
B.Responsibilities of governments. |
C.Benefits to be gained. |
D.Support from local communities. |
2 . Swimming is one of the few exercises people can do to work all parts of their body.
Swimming can strengthen your lungs.
You might hear that lungs benefit from swimming most.
Swimming may boost brain power.
Swimming has unique benefits in improving cognition (认知). In one study, participants who did a 20-minute swim responded faster on cognitive tests conducted immediately after their swim.
Swimming may put you in a better mood.
All exercise can be a mood booster.
If the previous reasons aren’t enough to convince you of the benefits of swimming, perhaps this one will: It can keep you from early dying. According to a report conducted by Swim England, swimmers had a 28 percent lower risk of early death compared with those who don't swim.
A.Swimming may enrich your life. |
B.Swimming may lengthen your life. |
C.The water workout trains the muscles involved with breathing. |
D.All of the muscle groups work at the same time. |
E.The happiness is due to the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain. |
F.It will help you to keep in good shape, lose weight and look younger. |
G.Another study linked swimming with improved short- and long-term memory in mice. |