The rapid expansion of urban areas worldwide has led to a significant loss of natural habitats, and many species are struggling to survive. To counteract this trend, some scientists have proposed the creation of urban wildlife corridors—strips of green space, such as parks, green roofs, and tree-lined streets, that connect isolated habitat fragments. Proponents argue that these corridors offer three major benefits. First, they promote genetic diversity by allowing animals to move between fragmented populations, reducing inbreeding and the risk of extinction. Second, corridors provide safe passage for animals, decreasing the likelihood of deadly encounters with vehicles or humans as animals travel through urban landscapes. Third, these green spaces can enhance ecosystem services, such as pollination and seed dispersal, because they support a wider variety of species, including beneficial insects and birds, within city limits. Overall, urban wildlife corridors are seen as a practical and effective solution to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization on biodiversity.
🎧 听力讲座
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The lecture challenges the optimistic view presented in the reading. While corridors may seem beneficial, their effectiveness is often overstated. First, regarding genetic diversity, corridors are usually narrow and linear, which limits the number of individuals that actually use them. Many species, especially those with large home ranges or specific habitat requirements, may not even venture into these strips. Thus, the corridors may fail to connect populations sufficiently to prevent genetic isolation. Second, the claim that corridors reduce vehicle collisions is not supported by evidence. In fact, corridors often funnel animals into specific crossing points, which can become hotspots for accidents if the corridors are not properly designed with underpasses or overpasses. Moreover, predators may learn to wait near these corridors, increasing predation risk. Third, the assertion that corridors boost ecosystem services is questionable. Urban corridors are often dominated by generalist species, such as pigeons and raccoons, which do not provide the same pollination or seed dispersal services as native specialists. In some cases, these corridors may even facilitate the spread of invasive species, disrupting local ecosystems rather than enhancing them. Therefore, the lecture concludes that urban corridors are not a panacea and may even create new problems.
📝 Инструкция по письму Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on the specific points made in the reading passage.
📊 TOEFL Integrated Writing Rubric
Content Accuracy: Accurately capture the relationship between lecture and reading
Information Completeness: Cover all key counter-arguments from the lecture
Structure & Coherence: Logical organization and progression
Language Use: Grammar, vocabulary, expression accuracy
Scored 0-30 based on holistic scoring (original 0-5, scaled to 30).
