According to the World Resources Institute ( WRI ) in
Washington, just 40% of the world's ancient forest cover remains
intact. In a report ___1___
in late 1997, the WRI called for an ___2___
program to prevent the loss of these pristine woodlands or
frontier forests. Two-thirds of these forests are ___3___
Canada, Russia and Brazil. "People often ___4___
the forest as capital to be liquidated." ___5___
a spokesman of the WRI. "If something ___6___
not done in the next 10 years to protect the forests, ___7___
a lost cause," he said. Even forests that ___8___
being logged are seriously threatened by air pollution. ___9___
more appears to be at stake than an ___10___
to take a vacation hike through a national forest. Forests ___11___
water quality and soil stability. They provide a ___12___
for most of the world's land-based plants and animals. ___13___
this biodiversity, a wealth of foods and ___14___
can be extracted which are essential for human health. Forests
are also home to the world's 50 million ___15___
people whose livelihood depend on the forests. |