Today in our ecology lecture, we'll discuss the impact of urban development on local wildlife. A recent study in Melbourne observed that the presence of small parks, even as small as 500 square meters, can significantly increase bird diversity. However, the key factor is not just the size but the connectivity between green spaces. Birds need corridors to move safely between areas. Interestingly, the study found that native shrubs attract more native birds than exotic plants. Also, water features, like small ponds, were more beneficial than expected, especially during dry seasons. But, the biggest surprise was that noise pollution had a greater negative effect than light pollution on bird breeding success.