Woods of Wonder

Woods of Wonder written by Russ Buyak.

《神奇森林》，作者：拉斯·布亚克

Oh, that's old. Old growth forests look very different from one another. Some have only one kind of tree. Others have many kinds of trees. Some may have very tall trees. Others have trees that are short.

哦，这可太古老啦。 原始森林彼此之间看起来大不相同哦。 有些原始森林里只有一种树木。 还有些原始森林里树种十分丰富。 有些原始森林里的树长得特别高。 还有些原始森林里的树长得矮矮的。

These forests are so different that scientists do not have one definition for old growth forests. Yet many old growth forests do have things in common. Many scientists think that an old growth forest must be at least 150 years old. Not every tree in the forest has to be that old though.

这些森林差异太大了，所以科学家们对原始森林没有统一的定义。 不过很多原始森林还是有共通之处的。 很多科学家认为原始森林至少得有150年的历史。 但也不是说森林里每棵树都得有这么老哦。

The canopy should have more than one layer. The tallest trees form the top layer. Fallen trees make holes in the canopy where sunlight gets through. Young trees can grow in these holes. Dead trees give food and shelter to many living things. Old growth forests are home to plants and animals that can't live anywhere else. If we study and care for these forests, we can learn a lot.

森林的冠层不止有一层。 最高的树木组成了最顶层。 倒下的树会在冠层上留出窟窿，阳光就能透进来啦。 小树就能在这些窟窿下方的位置生长。 枯树会给很多生物提供食物和庇护所。 原始森林是很多没法在其他地方生存的动植物的家。 如果我们好好研究、爱护这些森林，就能学到好多知识哦。

United States. California has many great national parks, some with old growth forests. In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, coniferous trees make up most of the old growth forests. Giant sequoias grow here, and one of these giants is the largest tree in the world. A sequoia can live for more than 3 ,000 years.

美国。 加利福尼亚州有很多超棒的国家公园， 其中一些公园里就有原始森林。 在红杉国家公园和国王峡谷国家公园里， 原始森林里大多是针叶树。 巨型红杉就生长在这里， 其中一棵巨杉还是全世界最大的树呢。 一棵红杉的寿命可以超过3000年哦。

The Pacific Fisher also lives in the park. Its favorite meal is porcupine. Because it only lives in old growth forests, some states are trying to protect it.

太平洋渔貂也生活在这座公园里。 它最爱吃的食物是豪猪。 因为它只住在原始森林里， 有些州正在努力保护这种动物。