A national political struggle is continuing over the issue of protectionfor the remnants （

A national political struggle is continuing over the issue of protection

for the remnants (剩余，残余)of vast ancient forests that were once covered 【M1】 ______

the northwestern areas of the United States. These old forests, calling" old 【M2】 ______

growth", contain trees form. 200 to 1, 200 years old. There are now about

6 million acres of virgin forest in Washington and Oregon, only about one-

tenth of what existed before the 1800s. This old-growth area contain some 【M3】 ______

of the most valuable timber in the nation, but its economical worth is also 【M4】 ______

contained in its water, wildlife, scenery, and recreational facilities.

Conservationists want the majority of existing old growth protected from

harvesting. They emphasize on the vital relationship between old growth 【M5】 ______

and the health of the forest's ecosystem. They cite studies that show that both

downed and stood old trees store and release nutrients necessary to younger 【M6】 ______

trees.

On the other hand, many of the Northwest's economy is developed 【M7】 ______

around the logging industry. Trees are cut down to make wood products, and

many mills are geared for old-growth industry. In recently years, 500 acres 【M8】 ______

of old growth have been logged, excluding trees up to 500 years old and eight 【M9】 ______

feet in diameter. As the U.S. Forest System wrestles(全力对付)with the problem

of how much of the forest to save, the harvesting of timber continues. The

district office refuse to remove any of the old growth from timber production. The

struggle is continuing at the national level, with strong proponents on all sides. 【M10】 ______

【M1】