VOA慢速英语 美国发现两种最古老的珊瑚新品种

　　Professor Roark says knowing the age of the corals might help scientists understand earlier water conditions and ocean surface productivity. And, he says the discovery will add to what scientists know about Earth's changing climate.

　　(MUSIC)

　　VOICE TWO:

　　We share our environment with many organisms. But few give us more pleasure than birds. Their beauty and songs have become part of our understanding of what a healthy environment should support.

　　Yet a report released in March shows that many kinds of American birds are in trouble. The report is called "The State of the Birds United States Two Thousand Nine." It says that nearly one third of about eight hundred bird species in the United States are threatened in some way.

　　VOICE ONE:

　　The report is said to provide the first complete study of American bird populations. It was based on three separate studies by a partnership of government agencies and environmental groups. The groups include the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy.

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