TOEFL Listening

🎧 Listening Transcript

Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. The professor is discussing the impact of urbanization on local ecosystems. Professor: Today, we're going to talk about how urbanization affects local biodiversity. Now, you might think that cities are just concrete jungles with no wildlife, but that's not entirely true. In fact, recent studies have shown that some species, like certain birds and insects, can thrive in urban environments. However, this comes at a cost. The native species that originally lived in these areas often struggle to survive because their habitats are fragmented by roads and buildings. For example, in many North American cities, the population of native ground-nesting birds has declined sharply, while generalist species, such as crows and pigeons, have increased. This shift in species composition can disrupt the natural balance, leading to issues like increased pest populations. Moreover, urban heat islands can alter plant growth cycles, which affects the timing of food availability for animals. So, while cities are not devoid of life, they dramatically change the ecological dynamics. Understanding these changes is crucial for urban planning and conservation efforts.