【绝密】职称英语考试 理工类A级 阅读理解押题 第四十六篇 附带解题技巧.doc

第四十六篇
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as "Ecosystem Engineers"理工(A级)
蚂蚁作为“生态系统工程师”对环境影响巨大
Research by the University of Exeter1 has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as "ecosystem engineers" and predators. The study, published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
埃克斯特大学所做的研究表明,蚂蚁作为“生态系统工程师”和食肉动物的行为对当地的环境影响巨大。该研究发表在动物生态杂志上,它表明蚂蚁对当地的环境有两大显著的影响。
Firstly, through moving of soil by nest building2 activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from posers to species much higher up the food chain.
第一,通过筑巢而挪动土壤或采集食物,蚂蚁影响土壤的营养水平。这可间接影响当地从腐生物到食物链高层的许多动物种群的数量。
Secondly, they prey on a wide range of other animals, including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
第二,它们捕食的动物种类很多,包括那些被大量工蚁攻击的大猎物。
Dirk Sanders, an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation, said:" Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're also very territorial3 and very aggressive, defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area."
Dirk Sanders是该大学生态和保护中心所做的此项研究的作者,他说:“蚂蚁是高效的食肉动物,而且能大量繁殖。它们具有很强的领地意识,并且会竭尽全力对