英譯概念：Biodiversity
【明報專訊】China is known for its rich biodiversity, with about 35,000 species of higher plants, accounting for 10% of the world's total, ranking the country third globally. It also has 686 species of mammals, ranking China first in the world in terms of the "uniqueness rate". Yunnan is the province with the richest variety of wildlife species in the country. From 1992 to 2020, a total of 3,718 new species were discovered in the province.
As reported by the Observer, Huang Runqiu, China's Minister of Ecology and Environment, said that the consequences of natural imbalances had led to the emergence of deadly diseases, such as AIDS, Ebola virus disease and COVID-19. Cui Shuhong, Director General of the Department of Natural Ecology Conservation in the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said that the direct value of biodiversity lies with the provision of rich food, clothing and the raw materials for production and lives for humans as well as its important ecological functions and potential values.
Wang Zhenghuan, Professor of Ecology at the School of Life Sciences of East China Normal University, said that from an ecological point of view, humans will not be able to replace natural ecosystems with artificial technology in the short term. Therefore, biodiversity is the key to maintaining the health of natural ecosystems. Wang also said that from an ethical point of view, human beings are not supposed to deprive other species of their right to live unless human life is endangered. Wang added that human beings have no future without biodiversity.
The team of Professor Kenneth Leung Mei-Yee, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution at City University of Hong Kong, found that more than two years after Hong Kong banned trawling, the suspended solids content in the water decreased significantly. The total organic matter content in the sediment increased, and the disturbance to marine habitats decreased, resulting in a significant increase in bottom feeder species.
Mock examination question
【1】 According to the source, why is maintaining high biodiversity important? (1 mark)
(1) With rich biodiversity, infectious diseases such as Ebola virus disease and COVID-19 can be easily eradicated
(2) Rich biodiversity can provide rich food for human beings
(3) Rich biodiversity can maintain the health of natural ecosystems
A. (1)
B. (2)
C. (2) and (3)
D. (1), (2) and (3)
【2】 With reference to the source, identify and explain a possible cause of biodiversity loss.
(2 marks)
Answer
【1】 C
【2】Improper hunting methods are a possible cause of biodiversity loss. Take fishing. Trawling may damage the underwater environment and affect the survival of organisms. According to the source, the team of Professor Kenneth Leung Mei-Yee, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution at City University of Hong Kong, found that more than two years after Hong Kong banned trawling, the suspended solids content in the water decreased significantly. The total organic matter content in the sediment increased, and the disturbance to marine habitats decreased, resulting in a significant increase in bottom feeder species. It can be seen that improper hunting methods damages the environment and biodiversity.
(本刊刊出的文章若提出批評，旨在指出相關制度、政策或措施存在錯誤或缺點，目的是促使矯正或消除這些錯誤或缺點，循合法途徑予以改善，絕無意圖煽動他人對政府或其他社群產生憎恨、不滿或敵意。)
[智學公民 第047期]
