The introduction of non-indigenous“exotic”species is now seen as a major threat to biodiversity.In 1825，a particularly vigorous female clone of itadori (called Japanese knotweed)was introduced into Holland and later distributed throughout Europe by the plant collector and nurseryman，Von Seibold.British gardeners loved it and by 1 886 it was even found growing on cinder tips in South Wales.By the turn of the century，the plant had colonized many other sites，and gardeners were advised against planting it in shrubberies.By 1 994，it was almost everywhere——railways，riversides，hedgerows，cemeteries-swamping a wide range of habitats and displacing rare species.Botanists‘ fears that the plant is still spreading and may yet colonize other new habitats have generated recent attempts to eradicate it bymechanical and chemical methods，all in vain as yet.

The evidence stacked against Japanese knotweed is damning.But there is a deep anxiety that behind the desire to correct human ecological cook—ups——often manifest as a passion to save endangered species and vulnerable ecosystems——is a thinly disguised xenophobia;that we are simply seeing yet another form of ecological imperialism which defines what is“natural”based on human preferences.

But whatever our reaction to“problem‘’or alien species is，it must involve moral decisions.And who should make such decisions and to what degree they are accountable must also be up for review.The conclusions of scientists and other sections of society may differ vastly about what to do about the introduced animals and plants that have become a common feature of everyday life.For example，the scheme to control rabbits in Australia by deliberately spreading the disease myxomatosis was a success in that huge numbers of rabbits were wiped out for the greater good——the”health“of Australian ecosystems.But would inflicting such a horrifically slow agonizing death on sentient creatures win popular support if it were proposed today?

小白必看考研入门宝典-新东方

主讲：王江涛、董仲蠡等
课时：15

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Scientists of biodiversity are by their very nature concerned with the organization of species into systems and not necessarily with the interests and well-being of individual，particularly those that are seen as a threat to the maintenance of those systems.Yet there is a growing feeling for the democratization of decisions concerning nonhuman life.The movement towards environmental values must surely involve a movement away from imperialism and a search for a relationship with nature as it truly is，rather than aswe would design it.Then，when Our lawns have long disappeared，we may yet come to honor the humble dandelion.

1. Botanists have generated attempts to remove the Japanese knotweed because———

[A]it threatens the local biodiversity

[B]it is regarded as exotic

[C]it's SO vigorous as to spread everywhere

[D]it checks other plants growth

2. 111 the author's opinion.the attempt to eradicate the Japanese knotweed__.

[A] is worthy of praises

[B]reflects people‘s desire to protect ecological biodiversity

[C]shows people‘s passion to say endangered species and vulnerable ecosystems

[D]is biased by human preferences

3. what does the Word“xenophobia”(Line 3，Para.2)mean?

[A]The ecological disorders.

[B]The passion to save the endangered ecosystem.

[C]The ecological imperialism.

[D]The fear for alien species.

4. As for what to do about alien species，the author thinks——。

[A]who should make such decisions is open to doubt

[B]the decisions should be based on scientists‘conclusions

[C]decision making should involve more people other than scientists

[D]it's morally unacceptable to eradicate all alien species

5. According to the text，which of the following is true?

[A]To eliminate alien species for the sake of the indigenous ones is acceptable.

[B]Human‘s efforts to correct ecological disorders are actually based on ecological study.

[C]People‘s attitudes towards alien species involve moral considerations.

[D]Human have to design nature to protect biodiversity.

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