地球上的生态系统是一个整体,缺少了任何物种都可能会产生一系列无法预估的后果。自然环境的好坏与许多种生物的生存息息相关,其中就包括蝴蝶。在英国,一些团体和个人正为保护蝴蝶而积极努力。
% y: o9 O- S( i" K% ]1 j! K/ }( X/ [6 } The public is being asked to help track the UK's butterfly populations as conservationists warn many native species are in serious decline.& R0 [) w( f8 Y/ C m F
4 `5 S# F1 F; A0 G: Y" \; @, F$ B The online Big Butterfly Count survey aims to get a better understanding of which species are in need of most help.) c9 R9 u4 ?% `$ e
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Butterflies are sensitive to changes in environment and have seen a collapse in numbers in the past three decades.9 _6 r- e+ ^7 y( g z4 `: f
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More than three-quarters of the 59 species found in the British Isles are in decline, including the meadow brown.8 a0 m) L9 D7 C# o! C, s ?
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The holly blue and gatekeeper are among the other butterflies once recently regarded as common species which are now believed to be joining the list in need of protection.
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; h3 H) I; C% J9 u/ \ The survey is being run by the charity Butterfly Conservation and retailer Marks & Spencer as part of its environment commitment.
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Adults and children are being invited to spend 15 minutes in gardens, woodlands, fields or parks between 24 July and 1 August and make a record of the butterflies and day-flying moths that they see.
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The organisers hope the survey will help build up a better picture of the fortunes of the country's butterflies, and give an indication of the wider health of countryside and nature. |