英语听力精选进阶版 7310（在线收听）

《自然气候变化》期刊最新发表的一项研究指出全球气候变暖助长了农作物病虫害发生程度加重。埃克塞特和牛津的大学的研究人员发现，随着气候变暖，农作物害虫正在朝南北两极方向移动。

The researchers looked at more than 600 crop pests from around the world.

These included fungi, such as wheat rust, which is devastating harvests in Africa and the Middle East; insects like the mountain pine beetle that's destroying trees in the US; as well as bacteria, viruses and microscopic nematode worms.

They found that over the past 50 years, these destructive species have been on the move. On average, they're spreading 3km every year, shifting north and south towards the poles.

The scientists say this correlates with warming temperatures, allowing the pests to take hold in areas that were once too cold for them to live in.

Currently, between 10% and 20% of the world's crops are lost to pests - and the team warns that rising global temperatures could make the problem worse. The researchers say that improved surveillance of the problem is needed.

Quiz 听力测验

1. What is destroying American trees?

The mountain pine beetle.

2. Why do scientists think the spread of pests is linked to climate change?

The fact that pests are now moving to areas which were too cold for them before.

3. What amount of crops are lost?

Between 10% and 20%.

4. Who thinks it is necessary to observe what is happening closely to prevent it from getting worse?

The researchers from the universities of Exeter and Oxford.

Glossary 词汇表

pests 害虫

fungi 真菌，霉菌

harvests 收成

on the move 在移动中的

correlates with 与…有关系

to take hold 扎根，繁衍

surveillance 监视，监控