The Amazon: A Living River System

课文

1. The Amazon River carries more water than the next seven largest rivers combined.

   亚马孙河的水量超过世界其他七大河流水量总和。

2. Its basin spans nine countries and covers nearly 40% of South America’s land area.

   其流域横跨九个国家，覆盖南美洲近40%的陆地面积。

3. Rainforest trees release moisture that helps form clouds and feed regional rainfall.

   雨林树木释放水分，助成云层并滋养区域降雨。

4. Indigenous communities have lived along its tributaries for over 11,000 years.

   原住民社群已在支流沿岸生活逾1.1万年。

5. Seasonal flooding deposits nutrient-rich silt, enabling diverse aquatic life to thrive.

   季节性洪水沉积富含养分的淤泥，支撑丰富水生生物繁衍。

6. Deforestation upstream reduces evapotranspiration, weakening the ‘flying river’ effect.

   上游森林砍伐降低蒸散量，削弱‘空中河流’效应。

7. River dolphins, pink and gray, navigate flooded forests using echolocation.

   粉红与灰色的河豚借助回声定位在洪泛森林中穿行。

8. Hydroelectric dams on tributaries disrupt fish migration and sediment flow.

   支流上的水电站大坝阻碍鱼类洄游并干扰泥沙输送。

9. Scientists monitor dissolved organic carbon levels to assess ecosystem health.

   科学家通过监测溶解有机碳含量评估生态系统健康状况。

10. Conservation efforts now link protected areas across national borders by design.

    当前保护工作正有意识地将跨国保护区连成网络。