Today in our environmental science lecture, we're discussing urban green spaces. A recent study in Melbourne examined the impact of community gardens on local biodiversity. The researchers found that these gardens, though small, supported a surprising variety of insect species. However, the key factor wasn't the size of the garden, but the diversity of native plants. Gardens with more than ten native species attracted twice as many pollinators as those with only exotic flowers. Interestingly, the study also noted that gardens near natural reserves had higher bird activity, but this was not linked to plant variety. So, for city planners, the recommendation is clear: prioritize native plant diversity over garden area.