據(jù)估計(jì)，世界上的樹(shù)木種類要比人們此前認(rèn)為的多出 14% ，研究人員稱之為首個(gè) “科學(xué)可信” 的評(píng)估。經(jīng)估測(cè)，共有 7 萬(wàn) 3300 種樹(shù)木，研究人員猜測(cè)這其中仍有 9200 個(gè)樹(shù)種尚未被發(fā)現(xiàn)。

The question of how many species exist on Earth isn't easy to answer, even for trees, which are among the largest and most ubiquitous of living things. Past estimates have come up with a figure of about 60,000 or so different types of tree.

地球上到底存在多少物種？這個(gè)問(wèn)題不容易回答，就算是對(duì)于最大、最常見(jiàn)的生物之一 —— 樹(shù)木來(lái)說(shuō)，亦是如此。據(jù)以前的估計(jì)，大約有6萬(wàn)種不同類型的樹(shù)木。

But scientists now think that's an underestimate, suggesting thousands of rare species unknown to science are still to be discovered, particularly in tropical rainforests such as the Amazon.

但科學(xué)家現(xiàn)在認(rèn)為，我們低估了樹(shù)木種類的真正數(shù)量，也就是說(shuō)，還有數(shù)以千計(jì)科學(xué)界尚未知曉的稀有物種有待被發(fā)現(xiàn)，尤其是在亞馬遜等熱帶雨林中。

The data, based on advanced statistical analysis of a huge global database of trees, will be used to help assess priorities for conservation.

這些數(shù)據(jù)來(lái)自對(duì)一個(gè)龐大的全球樹(shù)木數(shù)據(jù)庫(kù)的先進(jìn)統(tǒng)計(jì)分析，將被用來(lái)幫助評(píng)估樹(shù)木保護(hù)的優(yōu)先次序。

Forests play an essential role in absorbing carbon dioxide emissions and regulating the climate. Yet, they're increasingly being lost to logging, fires and global heating -– particularly in the parts of the world that harbour the most rare and undiscovered species.

森林在吸收二氧化碳排放和調(diào)節(jié)氣候方面起著至關(guān)重要的作用。然而，森林受到伐木、火災(zāi)和全球變暖的影響，正在日益減少，這在世界上坐擁最稀有和未被發(fā)現(xiàn)物種的地區(qū)尤為嚴(yán)重。

詞匯表

ubiquitous 普遍存在的，無(wú)處不在的
estimates 估計(jì)
rare 稀有的
priorities 優(yōu)先次序
regulating 調(diào)節(jié)

閱讀理解：請(qǐng)?jiān)谧x完上文后，回答下列問(wèn)題。

1. How many different types of trees did scientists previously think there were?

2. Where does a lot of logging and fires particularly occur?

3. What do scientists think is still to be discovered?

4. How will the new data about tree species help protect them?

答案  

1. How many different types of trees did scientists previously think there were?
Past estimates showed there were about 60,000 or so different types of tree.

2. Where does a lot of logging and fires particularly occur?
It particularly occurs in the parts of the world that harbour the rarest and undiscovered species.

3. What do scientists think is still to be discovered?
They think thousands of rare species of trees, unknown to science, are still to be discovered.

4. How will the new data about tree species help protect them?
The data, based on advanced statistical analysis of a huge global database of trees will be used to help assess priorities for conservation.