Today in our environmental science lecture, we're discussing the impact of urban development on local ecosystems. A key point is that while many cities are expanding, they often replace natural habitats with concrete structures. However, recent studies show that creating green spaces, such as rooftop gardens and community parks, can partially mitigate this loss. For example, in Melbourne, a project introduced vertical gardens on public buildings, which increased bird diversity by 30% within two years. Yet, these efforts require substantial funding and cooperation from local governments and residents. Without such initiatives, urban sprawl could lead to a decline in native species, affecting pollination and overall biodiversity.