人類活動的危害
More than a fifth of the reptiles worldwide are on the edge of extinction in the coming decades, according to a study published in Nature.
根據一項發表於《自然》期刊的研究指出，全球超過五分之一的爬行類動物在接下來的數十年間將瀕臨絕種，
Some reptiles, such as crocodiles and turtles, are taking the brunt of the impact of human activity.
其中鱷魚和海龜在人類活動的影響下更是首當其衝。
take (bear) the brunt of sth. 首當其衝
The study shows that threatened reptiles were more concentrated in southeastern Asia, West Africa, northern Madagascar, and the Caribbean.
研究顯示，受到威脅的爬行類動物集中在東南亞、西非、馬達加斯加北部與加勒比海。
threatened(adj.)受威脅的concentrate(v.)集中、聚集、匯集、集結
The researchers found that reptiles inhabiting forests were more at risk than the species dwelling in deserts and scrubland.
研究人員發現，比起生活在沙漠與灌木叢地的爬行類動物，棲息於森林的同類面臨更大的威脅。
inhabit(v.)居住於～=dwell in=live ininhabitant(n.)居民、棲息動物habitat 棲息地
The study suggested that agriculture, logging, urban development and the introduction of invasive species are the main drivers of the threat to reptiles.
研究指出，農業耕作、伐木、都市發展以及入侵物種的引入都是威脅爬行類動物生存的主因。
invade(v.)入侵、侵略invasion(n.)入侵、侵略
Among the most endangered reptiles, nearly two-thirds of the turtle species and half of the crocodile species are at risk of being wiped out from the planet due to hunting.
在瀕危的爬行類動物當中，近三分之二的海龜與一半的鱷魚因狩獵而瀕臨滅絕危機。
endangered(adj.)瀕臨絕種的wipe out 抹滅、消滅
“Reptiles to many people are not charismatic, and there’s just been a lot more focus on some of the more furry or feathery species of vertebrates for conservation,” said Bruce Young, a chief zoologist and senior conservation scientist at NatureServe.
國際自然組織NatureServe動物學家兼高階保育科學家布魯斯·楊表示：「對多數人而言，爬行類動物並不吸引人，更多保育相關的關注僅針對毛茸茸或一身華羽的脊椎動物。」
charismatic(adj.)有魅力的、吸引人的conservation(n.)保育
Scientists are calling for international support and urgent conservation efforts to prevent the endangered species from disappearing from our planet.
科學家呼籲國際支持並即刻展開保育工作，以避免這些瀕危物種從地球上消失。
call for sth. 呼籲～、號召～urgent(adj.)急迫的、緊急的