In today's lecture, we'll discuss the impact of urbanization on local wildlife. A recent study in Melbourne found that while some species, like possums, adapt well to city life, others, such as ground-nesting birds, decline sharply. The researchers tracked 50 urban parks over three years. Surprisingly, the presence of domestic cats did not significantly affect bird populations, but the removal of native shrubs did. To support biodiversity, the study recommends planting more indigenous vegetation and creating green corridors between parks. However, the key finding was that even small gardens, if properly managed, can serve as vital refuges for insects and small mammals.