Dont Count on Dung Conservationistsmay be miscalculating the numbers of the threatened animals such as elephants.say African and American researchers.The error occurs because of a flaw in the way they estimate animal numbers from the piles of dungthe creatures leave behind. The mistake could 1ead researchers to think that there are twice as many elephants as there really are in some regions according to Andrew Plumptre of the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York Biologist Katy Payne of Cornell University in Ithaca,New York,agrees.We really need to know elephant numbers and the evidence that we have is quite indirectsays Payne,who electronically tracks elephants Counting elephants from planes is impossible in the vast rainforests of Central Africa.So researchers often estimate elephant numbers by counting dung piles in a given area.They also need to know the rate at which dung decays Because its extremely difficult to determine these rates.however,researchers counting elephants in one region tend to rely on standard decay rates established elsewhere But researchers at the WCS have found that this decay rate varies from region to region depending on the climate and environment Using the wrong values can lead the census astray,says Plumptre He and his colleague Anthony Chifu Nchanji studied decaying elephant dung in the forests of Cameroon They found that the dung decayed between 55 and 65 per cent more slowly than the dung in the rainforests of neighbouring Gabon.If researchers use decay rates from Gabon to count elephants in Cameroon,they would probably find more elephants than are actually around.This could mean estimates in Cameroon are at least twice as high as those derived from decay rates calculated locally,says PlumptreHowever accurate your dung density estimate might be.the decay rate can severely affect the result Plumptre also says that the dungpile census should be carried out over a region similar in size to an elephants natural range The usual technique of monitoring only small,protected areas distorts numbers because elephants move in and out of these regions,he saysIf the elephant population increases within the protected area,you can not determine whether 1t is a real increase or whether it is due to elephants moving in because they are being poachedoutside. Plumptre says that similar problems may also affect other animal census studies that rely on indirect evidence such as nests,tracks or burrows 1The wordthreatenedin the first sentence of the first paragraph could be best replaced by A endangered B frightened C killed D angered 2 Why do researchers estimate elephant numbers in an area by counting dung piles? A Because elephants are difficult to catch B Because it is not possible to count elephants from a plane. C Because it is not possible to keep track of elephants. D Because elephants are shy animals 3 Piles of dung cant be relied upon when it comes to estimating elephant numbers because A they are different in size B they scatter an over the region. C they are different in decay rate. D they are different in quality. 4 According to Plumptre,the region over which a dungpile census is carried out should be A small enough B well protected. C carefully monitored. D large enough 5The first wordHein paragraph 6 refers to A Andrew Plumptre B Katy Payne. C Anthony Chifu Nchanji. D the writer of the article. 参考答案 1 A threatened:有灭绝危险的。threatened animals:有灭绝危险的动物。endangered:有灭绝危险的;有生命危险的。an endangered species:一个有灭绝危险的物种。frightened:受惊的。killed:杀死了的。angered:激怒了的。 2 B 该题问的是:为什么研究人员通过数粪堆估计一个地区的象数?第三段有这么一个句子,意思是说:从飞机上数中非广阔的赤道雨林中的象是不可能的,研究人员通过数粪堆估计一个特定地区的粪堆估计该区域的象数。因此B是正确答案。 3 c 该题问的是:不可依据粪堆数估计象数的原因是什么?文章第五段第一句话是这么说的:这种取决于气候和环境的腐烂速率在不同的地区是不一样的。可见c是正确的答案。A说的是:它们的大小是不一样的。B说的是:它们散布在整个地区。D说的是:它们的质量是不一样的。 4 D 该题问的是:根据Plumptre的观点,选择粪堆普查的地区应符合什么样的条件?倒数第二段提到了P1umDtre的观点,即普查的地区应该大到不能使象自由出入,也就是说,必须足够大。A说的是:足够小。B说的是:得到了很好的保护。c说的是:得到了密切的监控。 5 A 该题问的是?第六段的第一个词He指谁?一般情况下,代词回指的词必须离得很近。因此必定是Andrewr Pqumptre。
上一篇: 职称英语综合类阅读理解练习题(26)
下一篇: 2014职称英语阅读理解练习题(7)
大码衣服就更贵?这个英国品牌被抨惨了
国内英语资讯:Xi meets Nepali Congress Party chief
国内英语资讯:China enhances safety along border with Myanmar
打脸!川普改变口风,不对中兴制裁了
体坛英语资讯:Zamalek lift Egypt Cup after penalty shootout with Smouha
国际英语资讯:Putin urges U.S. to support extending nuclear arms reduction treaty
只因一个小数点 印度男子却因此自杀
体坛英语资讯:USA finish seventh after beating Poland at FIBA World Cup
国际英语资讯:Plane crashes near Havana with 104 passengers on board
Fake, counterfeit and bogus 三个表示“假”的形容词
国内英语资讯:China, Nepal upgrade ties
防晒霜到底怎么选?看完这篇科普再也不迷茫了
体坛英语资讯:CSL roundup: Henan Jianye beat lethargic Hebei China Fortune 4-1
The Opening Ceremony of Sports Meeting 运动会开幕式
国际英语资讯:Armed student opens fire in U.S. high school, killing 10 people
国际英语资讯:2 dead, 70 injured as Typhoon Hagibis makes landfall on Japans Izu Peninsula
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's romance 哈里王子和梅根·马克尔的爱情之旅
体坛英语资讯:Age prevails over promise as U.S. cedes dominance at FIBA World Cup
2019年12月四级作文常考话题及模板:非物质文化遗产
2018年6月英语四级作文范文:网上免费下载歌曲
卷福为女性发声!将男女平等贯彻到底
国内英语资讯:Vice premier stresses education, healthcare for Greater Bay Area
国际英语资讯:Peace requires political will, courage from all sides: UN deputy chief
国际英语资讯:Spain approves measures to mitigate effects of Thomas Cook bankruptcy
国际英语资讯:ASEAN agriculture, fisheries cooperation helps Brunei diversify economy: minister
体坛英语资讯:Bogdanovic leads Serbia past Czech Republic to FIBA World Cup fifth place
国内英语资讯:China, Spain should speak with one voice amid complicated intl situation: FM
国际英语资讯:UN Human Rights Council to investigate violations in Gaza
国际英语资讯:Sorrow, anger pour in over deadly shooting at Texas school
洗衣服挂衣服很简单?方法不当可能毁掉你的美衣