Farmers, especially in developing countries, are often criticized for cutting down forests

Farmers, especially in developing countries, are often criticized for cutting down forests. But a new study suggests that many farmers recognize the value of keeping trees.
Researchers using satellite images found at least ten percent tree cover on more than one billion hectares of farmland. That is almost half the farmland in the world. Earlier estimates were much lower but incomplete. The authors of the new study say it may still underestimate the true extent worldwide.
The study found the most tree cover in South America. Next comes Africa south of the Sahara, followed by Southeast Asia. North Africa and West Asia have the least.
The study found that climate conditions alone could not explain the amount of tree cover in different areas. Nor could the size of nearby populations, meaning people and trees can live together. There are areas with few trees but also few people, and areas with many trees and many people. The findings suggest that things like land rights, markets or government policies can influence tree planting and protection.
Dennis Garrity, who heads the World Agroforestry Center, says farmers are acting on their own to protect and plant trees. The problem, he says, is that policy makers and planners have been slow to recognize this and to support such efforts.
The satellite images may not show what the farmers are using the trees for, but trees provide nuts, fruit, wood and other products. They also help prevent soil loss and protect water supplies. Even under drought(干旱)conditions, trees can often provide food and a way to earn money until the next growing season.
Some trees act as natural fertilizers. They take nitrogen(氮气)out of the air and put it in the soil. Scientists at the Center say the use of fertilizer trees can re-duce the need for chemical nitrogen by up to three-fourths. Trees also capture carbon dioxide, a gas linked to climate change.
【小题1】Through the study, the researchers found that .A．there are more trees on farmlands than expected B．fewer trees are being cut in developing countriesC．most farmers still don’t realize the value of treesD．trees play a key role in preventing climate change【小题2】Which of the following has the least tree cover?A．Southeast AsiaB．West Asia.C．South America.D．Africa south of the Sahara.【小题3】In Dennis Garrity’s opinion, .A．most farmers care about nothing but their own interestsB．there are usually few people living in areas with few treesC．government plays a small role in tree planting and protectionD．government should support farmers in planting and protecting trees【小题4】The sixth paragraph mainly tells about .A．how farmers plant treesB．what products trees can bringC．the importance of trees to farmersD．the environmental value of tree coverA

(答案→)A 解析：文章介绍现在世界上农场树林占有的面积还是很多的，农民正意识到树木对人对环境的重要性。【小题1】细节理解题：从第二段的句子：Earlier estimates were much lower but incomplete. The authors of the new study say it may still underestimate the true extent worldwide.可知早先的估计树林面积是低的，不完整的，也就是现在的农场的树林比预料的要多。所以选A。【小题2】细节题：题目问：下面的哪个地方树木面积最少？可以根据这几个地方定位到第三段：The study found the most tree cover in South America. Next comes Africa south of the Sahara, followed by Southeast Asia. North Africa and West Asia have the least. 可知West Asia是最少的。选B。【小题3】细节题：题目问：Dennis Garrity是怎么认为的，根据Dennis Garrity定位到第五段：Dennis Garrity,….says farmers are acting on their own to protect and plant trees. The problem, he says, is that policy makers and planners have been slow to recognize this and to support such efforts.说明政府应该支持农民种树，保护树，所以选D。【小题4】段落大意题：题目问：第六段主要讲了什么？重点放在第六段，从文章第六段的内容，可知讲的是树木对农民的重要性。

对的，就是这个意思