四级预测试卷3..docVIP

四级考前冲刺试题三 Working to Improve the Conditions of Everglades National Park When many people think of Florida, images of sandy coastlines or theme park rides come to mind. But about an hour south of Miami lies a natural wilderness (野生地) different from anywhere else in the United States. Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the country. The park is home to several rare and endangered species. It is also the third largest national park in the lower forty-eight states, after Death Valley and Yellowstone. More than one million people visit the Everglades each year. Wildlife Reserves The Everglades is considered one of the great biological wonders of the world. The expansive wetlands stretch across more than 600,000 hectares (公顷). It is a place where plants and animals from the Caribbean Sea share an ecosystem (生态系统) with native North American species. Unlike most other national parks, Everglades National Park was created to protect an ecosystem from damage. The Everglades is home to 36 species that are considered threatened or protected. They include the Florida panther, the American crocodile (鳄鱼) and the West Indian manatee. In addition, more than 350 bird species and 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish live within the park. The Everglades is also home to forty species of mammals (哺乳动物) and fifty reptile (爬行动物) species. Exotic plants can also be found in the Everglades. They include what is said to be the largest growth of mangrove trees in the western half of the world. Gumbo-limbo trees, known for their peeling red skin, strangler figs and royal palms are also among the area’s plant life. The Everglades is also home to the country’s largest living mahogany tree. Saw grass grows in some areas of the park. Be careful — it is very sharp, with teeth just like a saw. It can grow up to four meters tall. With about 1.5 meters of rainfall each year, plants and trees never stop growing in the Everglades. Want to visit it? The dry, winter season