英语课程计划-World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day (WWD) occurs on the 2nd of February each year. It marks the date of the signing of the International Convention¹ on Wetlands in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. WWD started in 1997. It aims to raise awareness² of the value of wetlands around the world and the unique and important place they have. The 158 nations and territories who signed the convention promised to conserve³ and protect over 1,782 wetlands, covering an area of over 160 million hectares. The United Kingdom tops the list with 177 protected wetland sites. Each year governments and citizens’ groups carry out all kinds of activities on WWD. These range from nature walks, clean-up days and seminars⁴ to new government laws to protect the wetlands.

The world’s wetlands serve an important role in nature. They are all mini eco-systems and contain a huge diversity of animal and plant life. They take the form of ponds, streams, rivers, bogs⁵ and swamps⁶. They also serve an important role in the flood defences of an area. Wetlands are like giant sponges⁷ and store water from floods. They can protect an area from flooding from storms and high tides. This is coming under threat now with rising sea levels and global warming. Climate change means any wetlands are themselves being flooded or are drying up and disappearing. Wetlands are also a wonderful way to explore nature and see a huge variety of water life, plants, animals and birds. It is vital we protect them.

1 convention   

n.惯例，习俗，常规，会议，大会

参考例句：

• How many delegates have checked in at the convention?大会已有多少代表报到？
• He sets at naught every convention of society.他轻视所有的社会习俗。

2 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

3 conserve   

vt.保存，保护，节约，节省，守恒，不灭

参考例句：

• He writes on both sides of the sheet to conserve paper.他在纸张的两面都写字以节省用纸。
• Conserve your energy,you'll need it!保存你的精力，你会用得着的！

4 seminars   

n.研讨班( seminar的名词复数 )；研讨小组；研讨会；培训会

参考例句：

• Teaching is by lectures and seminars. 教学形式为讲座和研讨课。
• They are planning a series of workshops and business seminars. 他们正在筹划一系列研习班和商务研讨会。 来自辞典例句

5 bogs   

n.沼泽，泥塘( bog的名词复数 )；厕所v.（使）陷入泥沼， （使）陷入困境( bog的第三人称单数 )；妨碍，阻碍

参考例句：

• Whenever It'shows its true nature, real life bogs to a standstill. 无论何时，只要它显示出它的本来面目，真正的生活就陷入停滞。 来自名作英译部分
• At Jitra we went wading through bogs. 在日得拉我们步行着从泥水塘里穿过去。 来自辞典例句

6 swamps   

沼泽（地）( swamp的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• On the floor of the basins lie deserts, lakes and swamps. 这几个盆地的底部有沙漠、湖泊和沼泽。
• The lowest parts of the flood plain may form "back-swamps". 河漫滩最低的部分可以形成河漫滩沼泽。

7 sponges   

n.海绵( sponge的名词复数 )；海绵动物

参考例句：

• Sponges absorb water. 海绵吸水。 来自辞典例句
• Ice bags and alcohol sponges help to reduce fever, especially in children. 用冰袋和洒精擦浴有助于降体温，尤其是对儿童。 来自辞典例句