geographic |
Relating to the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere |
地理的 |
The study explores the geographic distribution of species across islands. |
distribution |
The arrangement of something across a particular area or surface |
分布 |
The distribution of species varies from one ecosystem to another. |
vary |
To differ or change in size, amount, or degree |
变化 |
The biogeography of islands varies significantly due to isolation. |
isolation |
The condition of being separated from others |
隔离 |
Islands’ isolation provides unique conditions for studying ecosystems. |
laboratory |
A setting for scientific experiments or research |
实验室 |
Islands act as natural laboratories for examining biogeography. |
examine |
To inspect or scrutinize something closely |
检查 |
Scientists examine the factors influencing species distribution on islands. |
theory |
A set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based |
理论 |
They proposed a theory regarding the equilibrium of island biogeography. |
state |
To express formally in speech or writing |
陈述 |
The theory states that island species diversity reaches an equilibrium. |
in terms of |
Regarding or with respect to |
在…方面 |
The study discusses species diversity in terms of ecological balance. |
calculation |
The process of mathematically determining something |
计算 |
The researchers use calculations to predict species sustainability on islands. |
sustain |
To support or maintain |
维持 |
Larger islands can sustain a greater number of species. |
depend on |
To be controlled or determined by |
取决于 |
The diversity of species on an island depends on its size and proximity to the mainland. |
mainland |
The principal landmass of a country or continent |
大陆 |
Species richness on islands is influenced by their distance from the mainland. |
track |
To follow or monitor the progress of something |
跟踪 |
Ecologists track the number of species on islands to study biogeographic patterns. |
decline |
To decrease in quantity or importance |
减少 |
The immigration rate declines as the island’s capacity for new species fills. |
tough |
Difficult or requiring resilience |
困难的 |
It’s tough for new species to invade an established ecosystem. |
in contrast with |
Differing from |
与…形成对比 |
In contrast with early stages, later stages see increased competition. |
get settled |
To become established in a place |
定居 |
Once species get settled on an island, they form stable communities. |
vulnerable |
Susceptible to harm or attack |
易受伤害的 |
Overcrowded species become more vulnerable to environmental changes. |
oppose |
To resist or act against something |
反对 |
The forces of immigration and extinction oppose each other in island ecosystems. |
evolution |
The gradual development or change of something over time |
进化 |
The evolution of island ecosystems can be observed through species changes. |
cancel out |
To negate or neutralize each other |
抵消 |
Eventually, immigration and extinction rates cancel out, reaching equilibrium. |
match |
To correspond or be equivalent |
匹配 |
The rates of species arrival and departure match at equilibrium. |
occur |
To happen or take place |
发生 |
Equilibrium occurs when new species introduction balances with extinctions. |
predict |
To say or estimate that a specified thing will happen |
预测 |
Scientists predict that larger islands will host more diverse species. |
erupt |
To explode or burst out |
爆发 |
The volcano on Krakatoa erupted, devastating its ecosystem. |
destruction |
The act of causing extensive damage to something |
破坏 |
The eruption led to the complete destruction of the island’s natural habitat. |
recreate |
To create anew |
重建 |
The island had to recreate its ecosystem from scratch after the eruption. |
take hold |
To establish a strong or permanent position |
生根 |
Pioneer species quickly take hold in disturbed environments. |
collapse |
To fall down or fail suddenly |
崩溃 |
The ecosystem collapse was drastic, leaving the island barren. |
in time |
Eventually or after some time |
最终 |
In time, a new ecosystem developed on the volcanic island. |
establish |
To introduce or set up |
建立 |
New species establish themselves and begin to thrive on the island. |
drop seed |
To release seeds that fall to the ground |
掉落种子 |
Birds dropped seeds, which contributed to the reforestation of the island. |
bear |
To carry or produce |
结果 |
The newly grown trees began to bear fruit. |
pioneer |
Someone or something that is among the first to explore a new area |
先锋 |
Pioneer species are crucial for initiating ecological recovery. |
behave |
To act in a particular way |
表现 |
The ecosystem behaved in accordance with the equilibrium theory. |
correspond with |
To be in agreement or conformity with |
与…一致 |
The observed data corresponds with the theoretical predictions. |
stable |
Firm and steady |
稳定的 |
The island’s ecosystem eventually became stable and self-sustaining. |