2022-03-21 Earth has more tree species than we thought 地球树木种类高出已知数量

据估计，世界上的树木种类要比人们此前认为的多出14%，研究人员称之为首个 “科学可信” 的评估。经估测，共有7万3300种树木，研究人员猜测这其中仍有9200个树种尚未被发现。

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种？这个问题不容易回答，就算是对于最大、最常见的生物之一 —— 树木来说，亦是如此。据以前的估计，大约有6万种不同类型的树木。

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.

但科学家现在认为，我们低估了树木种类的真正数量，也就是说，还有数以千计科学界尚未知晓的稀有物种有待被发现，尤其是在亚马逊等热带雨林中。

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

这些数据来自对一个庞大的全球树木数据库的先进统计分析，将被用来帮助评估树木保护的优先次序。

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调节气候方面起着至关重要的作用。然而，森林受到伐木、火灾和全球变暖的影响，正在日益减少，这在世界上坐拥最稀有和未被发现物种的地区尤为严重。

词汇表

ubiquitous 普遍存在的，无处不在的
estimates 估计
rare 稀有的
priorities 优先次序
regulating 调节

阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题。

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.