纪录片《我们的地球》 第136期 辽阔平原(11)

The prairies of North America.

北美大草原。

This rich pasture once supported the greatest herds¹ ever seen on our planet.

这里的大草原肥沃甘美，曾经养育着地球上最大的动物群落。

There were once 60 million bison,

这里曾有六千万只北美野牛

but no animal is immune to intensive hunting by man or the destruction of its habitat.

然而没有哪种动物能够幸免于人类的大捕杀，野牛的栖息地也惨遭破坏。

And a century ago, the bison were reduced to barely 1,000.

一百年前，野牛的数量曾锐减至不到一千。

Now, thanks to rigorous protection, the species is recovering.

如今，幸亏制定了严厉的保护，这一物种的数量才得以逐步恢复。

The growing season is long, and the grass here can support herds all year round.

这里的草儿生长期很长，能够全年维系所有的动物群落的食物需要。

Male bison weigh in at one ton.

公野牛重达一吨。

In high summer, the bulls are fat from the rich grazing and in prime condition, but only a few will mate.

在盛夏，公野牛个个吃得胖乎乎的，精神焕发，然而只有为数不多的公牛会和母牛交配。

Exactly which few is about to be decided².

到底哪些可以交配很快就要决定了。

On temperate³ plains around the world, summer is a time for growth and reproduction.

在世界各个温带地区的草原上，夏季都是生长繁殖期。

Now the grass produces its flowers. New colours also come to the plains.

此时草花争艳。万紫千红。

1 herds   

兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众

参考例句：

• Regularly at daybreak they drive their herds to the pasture. 每天天一亮他们就把牲畜赶到草场上去。
• There we saw herds of cows grazing on the pasture. 我们在那里看到一群群的牛在草地上吃草。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 temperate   

adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的

参考例句：

• Asia extends across the frigid,temperate and tropical zones.亚洲地跨寒、温、热三带。
• Great Britain has a temperate climate.英国气候温和。