We think of bees preferring to live in rural fields.But new research suggests Britain’s bees are happier near towns and cities and that is pretty out of our expectations.
A study of wildlife sites has found that most farmland is home to fewer species of bee today than it was in the past.For instance,heaths and meadows(荒地牧场)near Milton Keynes now have more species of bee than sites in more rural areas.Researchers believe intensive agriculture is to blame.
Another question --- is climate change confusing bees?Climate change could be causing disorder in the relationship between bees and plants.That’s according to a study that said warmer springs can change the life cycles of bees,which can throw them out of sync(同步)with the plants they pollinate(授粉).While the gardens,parks and churchyards of town and cities provide bees with a variety of plants to feed on and an extended flowering season,popular crops such as oilseed rape only flower for a few weeks.
A researcher said, “While concreting over the countryside may appear to be bad news for nature,we’ve found that progressive urbanization may be much less damaging than intensive agriculture. ”
Urban ares may benefit bees more than farmland by providing a wide variety of flowering plants,providing a rich menu for insects from spring to autumn.
Over the past century rural landscapes in Britain have become increasingly dominated by large expanses of monoculture --- the growing of a single type of plant,which has helped improve crop production.But without a mixture of habitat and food sources,rural areas can sometimes become green deserts for bees.
Scientists around the country are trying to work out why populations of bees and other insects are dropping sharply.Pesticides,climate change and diseases may,like intensive farming,be some of the reasons.
33.How does climate change probably affect bees’ life?
A.Warmer springs produce too many plants.
B.There are fewer plants for bees to pollinate.
C.Bees prefer to live in cooler environment.
D.Bees’ connection with plants is disturbed.
34.Which of the following is one of the reasons for bees preferring cities?
A.A better variety of foods. B.More flowers in winter.
C.Increased crop production. D.The modern lifestyle.
35.Why does the writer call rural landscapes “green deserts”?
A.Because they don’t seem attractive to bees
B.Because they are covered with sands
C.Because they lack diverse plants to provide for bees.
D.Because they are only for plants bearing no flowers.
DAC
A. Profits enlarging B. Technology developing C. Education investing D. Benefits transferring E. Dominance disappearing F. A nation rising |
The following is an imaginary diary entry written by US president. This diary is part of Global Trends 2025, which was written by the US National Intelligence Council
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The
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Global wealth and economic power will shift from West to East.
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The transition from old fuels to new will be slow, as will the development of new technologies that present feasible alternatives to fossil fuels or help eliminate food and water problems. All current technologies are inadequate, and new ones will probably not be commercially possible by 2025