VOA科学技术2023--In Costa Rica, Natural Farms Provide Refuge for Birds

In Costa Rica, Natural Farms Provide Refuge for Birds

Small farms with natural trees and forests that block sunlight can provide a refuge for some bird populations, a study in Costa Rica found.

For 18 years, bird expert James Zook has been collecting records on nearly 430 kinds of tropical birds found on farms and natural forests in the Central American country.

While birds do best in natural rainforests, Zook said some species usually found in forests can establish populations in "diversified¹ farms." Diversified farms are farms that contain areas similar to a natural forest environment.

"How you farm matters," said Nicholas Hendershot. He is a Stanford University environmental scientist. He helped write the study published recently in Proceedings² of the National Academy of Sciences.

"In these diversified farms, you see growth over the long term in bird species with specialized³ needs," Hendershot said. These specialized needs include safe and protected areas from the sun for birds to build their homes and different kinds of food sources.

That kind of farming is very different to industrial agriculture or agriculture where only one crop like pineapple or bananas are planted, he said.

Natalia Ocampo-Penuela is a University of California, Santa Cruz environmental scientist who was not involved in the study. She said the findings may seem to make sense without research. But she added that it is very rare to have detailed⁴ data over a long time from tropical areas to show that diversified farming can support some forest bird populations.

"With 18 years of data, you can show the species is persisting in that area, not simply passing by," she said.

Of the 305 species found in diversified farms, 75 percent showed stable or growing populations over the time of study. These include birds like the collared aracari as well as several members of the manakin family – colorful birds known for their complex mating dances.

Ruth Bennett is a scientist at the Smithsonian Migratory⁵ Bird Center. She was not involved in the research. She said, "It's a huge contribution to have documented that some birds aren't just going there, but staying there and populations are growing,"

Still, such safe environments, called habitats, do not balance out overall population losses from the creation of large industrial farms from natural forests, the writers warned. Zook compared a large pineapple farm to a "bird desert."

Increasingly, scientists say saving species will require paying attention to areas affected⁶ by humans, not just untouched areas.

Ocampo-Penuela said modern efforts to save species have to happen not only inside protected areas, but also within agricultural areas and even cities. She said these efforts have to happen where there is at least a possibility that some species could live there.

Words in This Story

the tropics – n. the part of the world that is near the equator where the weather is very warm

species – n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants

persist – v. to continue to do something or to try to do something even though it is difficult or other people want you to stop

stable – adj. in a good state or condition that is not easily changed or likely to change

contribution – n. something that is done to cause something to happen

1 diversified   

adj.多样化的，多种经营的v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 )；进入新的商业领域

参考例句：

• The college biology department has diversified by adding new courses in biotechnology. 该学院生物系通过增加生物技术方面的新课程而变得多样化。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Take grain as the key link, develop a diversified economy and ensure an all-round development. 以粮为纲，多种经营，全面发展。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 proceedings   

n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼

3 specialized   

adj.专门的，专业化的

参考例句：

• There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations.联合国有许多专门机构。
• These tools are very specialized.这些是专用工具。

4 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

5 migratory   

n.候鸟，迁移

参考例句：

• Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。
• This does not negate the idea of migratory aptitude.这并没有否定迁移能力这一概念。

6 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。