一項對英國本土樹木狀況的調查發現，只有 7% 的樹木狀況良好。英國林地信托（ The Woodland Trust ）表示，雖然林地覆蓋面積在緩慢增加，但林地中的野生動物數量卻在減少。

Native woodlands are a much-loved part of the landscape. From ancient oak forests to centuries-old groves of ash or beech, they provide a refuge for wildlife, including butterflies, birds and insects, and lock up millions of tonnes of carbon.

原生林地是自然景觀中備受喜愛的一部分。從古老的橡樹林到有數百年歷史的白蠟樹和山毛櫸林，林地為包括蝴蝶、鳥類和昆蟲在內的各種野生動物提供了庇護，并鎖住了數百萬噸碳。

Yet, according to the Woodland Trust, the vast majority of our native woodlands are in a poor condition, hit by a barrage of threats including climate impacts, tree diseases, and loss to housing and transport developments.

然而，根據英國林地信托的研究，絕大多數的原生林地狀況很差，這是由于受到了一連串威脅的打擊，包括氣候影響、樹木疾病以及住房和交通發展造成的林地流失。

It says not nearly enough is being done to protect our existing woodlands. At least quadruple the current rate of woodland creation is needed, it argues, with an increase in the proportion of native trees to give nature a fighting chance of recovery.

英國林地信托表示，在保護現有林地方面所做的努力還遠遠不夠。該機構認為，至少需要以目前四倍的速度造林，增加原生樹木的比例，才能給自然帶來恢復生機的可能。

詞匯表

woodlands 林地
landscape 景觀，風景
oak 橡樹
groves 樹林，樹叢
ash 白蠟樹
beech 山毛櫸
refuge 庇護所
lock up 鎖住，存住
condition 狀況
a barrage of 一連串的
quadruple 四倍
give… a fighting chance 給…一線生機
recovery 復蘇，恢復

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題。

1. True or false? Most of the UK's native woodlands are well protected.

2. What do native woodlands provide for wildlife?

3. How do woodlands help the environment?

4. According to the Woodland Trust, what is needed to give nature a fighting chance of recovery?

答案  

1. True or false? Most of the UK's native woodlands are well protected.
False. According to the Woodland Trust, the vast majority of the UK's native woodlands are in a poor condition. It also says not nearly enough is being done to protect our existing woodlands.

2. What do native woodlands provide for wildlife?
They provide a refuge for wildlife, including butterflies, birds and insects.

3. How do woodlands help the environment?
By locking up millions of tonnes of carbon.

4. According to the Woodland Trust, what is needed to give nature a fighting chance of recovery?
At least quadruple the current rate of woodland creation is needed, it argues, with an increase in the proportion of native trees.