Good morning, everyone. Today in our environmental science lecture, we're discussing urban green spaces. A recent study in Melbourne found that adding trees to city streets can reduce local temperatures by up to 4 degrees Celsius during heat waves. This happens because trees provide shade and release moisture through their leaves, a process called transpiration. Interestingly, the study also showed that parks with a mix of native and non-native plants attract more bird species than those with only native plants. However, the researchers emphasized that the most important factor for cooling is the total leaf area, not the species diversity. So, when designing green spaces, city planners should prioritize large, broad-leaf trees over small decorative ones.