IELTS Reading Practice: Urbanization’s Influence on Global Biodiversity

Welcome to our IELTS Reading practice session focusing on the topic of “Urbanization’s influence on global biodiversity.” This subject has gained significant attention in recent years due to its relevance to environmental studies and urban planning. Based on our analysis of past IELTS exams, this theme has appeared with increasing frequency, suggesting a high probability of encountering similar passages in future tests.

The IELTS Reading section assesses your ability to understand complex texts, identify key information, and interpret the author’s opinions. Today, we’ll tackle a passage that exemplifies the type of content you might encounter in the actual exam, followed by a variety of question types to test your comprehension and analytical skills.

Urban sprawl and wildlife

Reading Passage

Urbanization and Biodiversity: A Complex Relationship

A. The rapid expansion of urban areas across the globe is one of the most significant human-induced changes to the Earth’s ecosystems. As cities grow, they not only transform landscapes but also profoundly impact local and global biodiversity. This process, known as urbanization, is reshaping the natural world in ways that scientists are only beginning to fully comprehend.

B. Urbanization typically leads to habitat loss and fragmentation, which are primary drivers of biodiversity decline. As natural areas are converted into built environments, many species lose their homes and food sources. Large, continuous habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches, making it difficult for animals to move freely and for plant populations to maintain genetic diversity. This fragmentation can lead to local extinctions and a overall reduction in species richness within urban areas.

C. However, the relationship between urbanization and biodiversity is not entirely negative. Some species, known as urban adapters, thrive in city environments. These organisms, which include certain birds, mammals, and insects, have evolved to exploit the resources available in urban settings. For instance, peregrine falcons have found that tall buildings make excellent substitutes for their natural cliff-side nesting spots, while raccoons have become adept at foraging in urban waste.

D. Moreover, cities can sometimes act as refuges for endangered species. In some cases, urban areas provide protection from predators or hunting pressures that exist in more natural environments. For example, the European hedgehog has found sanctuary in British cities as rural populations have declined due to agricultural intensification.

E. The impact of urbanization on biodiversity also extends far beyond city limits. Urban areas demand vast resources, leading to the exploitation of distant ecosystems. The food, water, and energy requirements of cities can drive deforestation, overfishing, and habitat destruction in far-flung locations. This phenomenon, known as the “urban ecological footprint,” means that cities influence biodiversity on a global scale.

F. Climate change, exacerbated by urban heat islands and greenhouse gas emissions from cities, further complicates the picture. As global temperatures rise, species are forced to adapt or move to new habitats. Urban areas can act as barriers to this movement, potentially trapping species in unsuitable environments.

G. Recognizing these complex interactions, many cities are now implementing strategies to support biodiversity. Green infrastructure initiatives, such as creating wildlife corridors and restoring urban wetlands, aim to reconnect fragmented habitats. Vertical gardens and green roofs are being used to increase the amount of vegetation in densely built areas, providing new habitats for insects and birds.

H. Some urban planners are adopting the concept of “reconciliation ecology,” which seeks to modify human-dominated landscapes to support greater biodiversity. This approach involves designing urban spaces that can serve both human needs and those of other species. Examples include installing nesting boxes for birds on buildings or creating ponds that serve as both stormwater management systems and habitats for aquatic life.

I. Education and community engagement are also crucial components of urban biodiversity conservation. Many cities are implementing programs to raise awareness about local flora and fauna, encouraging residents to participate in conservation efforts. Citizen science projects, where urban dwellers help monitor and record biodiversity, are becoming increasingly popular and valuable for researchers.

J. As the world continues to urbanize, the fate of global biodiversity will be increasingly tied to how we design and manage our cities. The challenge lies in creating urban environments that not only minimize negative impacts on ecosystems but actively contribute to biodiversity conservation. This will require innovative thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a fundamental shift in how we perceive the relationship between urban development and the natural world.

Questions

True/False/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage? Write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. Urbanization always results in a decrease in biodiversity.
2. Some species have adapted successfully to urban environments.
3. Cities consume resources that affect ecosystems far beyond their boundaries.
4. All endangered species find better protection in urban areas than in rural environments.
5. Urban heat islands have no impact on global biodiversity.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

6. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a way cities are supporting biodiversity?
   A) Creating wildlife corridors
   B) Installing vertical gardens
   C) Implementing recycling programs
   D) Restoring urban wetlands

7. The concept of “reconciliation ecology” involves:
   A) Completely separating human and natural spaces
   B) Modifying urban landscapes to support both human and wildlife needs
   C) Relocating wildlife to protected rural areas
   D) Eliminating all non-native species from urban environments

Matching Headings

Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. Write the correct letter, A-J, in boxes 8-11 on your answer sheet.

8. Paragraph C
9. Paragraph E
10. Paragraph G
11. Paragraph I

List of Headings:
i. The global reach of urban resource demands
ii. Strategies for integrating nature into city design
iii. The surprising benefits of cities for some species
iv. The role of public participation in urban conservation

Summary Completion

Complete the summary below using words from the box.

fragmentation adapters footprint corridors reconciliation

Urban development leads to habitat loss and (12) __, which negatively impacts biodiversity. However, some species, known as urban (13) __, have found ways to thrive in city environments. Cities also have an ecological (14) __ that extends far beyond their borders. To address these issues, many cities are implementing strategies such as creating wildlife (15) __ and adopting the concept of (16) __ ecology to support biodiversity in urban areas.

Answer Key

1. FALSE
2. TRUE
3. TRUE
4. NOT GIVEN
5. FALSE
6. C
7. B
8. iii
9. i
10. ii
11. iv
12. fragmentation
13. adapters
14. footprint
15. corridors
16. reconciliation

Explanations

1. FALSE – The passage states that while urbanization often leads to biodiversity decline, it’s not always negative. Some species thrive in urban environments.

2. TRUE – Paragraph C mentions “urban adapters” that have evolved to exploit resources in urban settings.

3. TRUE – Paragraph E discusses the “urban ecological footprint” and how cities influence biodiversity globally.

4. NOT GIVEN – While the passage mentions that some endangered species find refuge in cities, it doesn’t state that all endangered species are better protected in urban areas.

5. FALSE – Paragraph F mentions that urban heat islands, exacerbated by cities, complicate the impact on biodiversity.

6. C – Recycling programs are not mentioned in the passage as a way cities are supporting biodiversity.

7. B – Paragraph H explains that reconciliation ecology involves modifying urban spaces to serve both human needs and those of other species.

8-11. These answers match the main ideas of the respective paragraphs.

12-16. These answers complete the summary based on the information provided in the passage.

Common Mistakes

1. Overgeneralization: Assuming that urbanization always has negative effects on biodiversity.
2. Missing nuances: Failing to recognize the complexity of the relationship between urbanization and biodiversity.
3. Overlooking global impacts: Not considering the far-reaching effects of urban resource demands.
4. Misinterpreting data: Confusing local benefits for some species with overall positive impacts on biodiversity.
5. Ignoring solutions: Failing to note the various strategies cities are implementing to support biodiversity.

Vocabulary

• Urbanization: /ˌɜːbənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ (noun) – The process of making an area more urban
• Biodiversity: /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ (noun) – The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat
• Fragmentation: /ˌfræɡmenˈteɪʃən/ (noun) – The process of breaking something into small, isolated parts
• Ecological footprint: /ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈfʊtprɪnt/ (noun phrase) – The impact of human activities measured in terms of the area of biologically productive land and water required to produce the goods consumed and to assimilate the wastes generated
• Reconciliation ecology: /ˌrekənsɪliˈeɪʃən iˈkɒlədʒi/ (noun phrase) – An approach to conservation that seeks to modify human-dominated landscapes to support biodiversity

Grammar Focus

Complex sentences with multiple clauses are common in academic texts like this IELTS passage. For example:

“As cities grow, they not only transform landscapes but also profoundly impact local and global biodiversity.”

This sentence uses a correlative conjunction “not only…but also” to express two related ideas. Practice identifying and constructing similar complex sentences to improve your reading comprehension and writing skills.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

1. Skim the passage quickly before reading in detail to get a general idea of the content.
2. Pay attention to topic sentences (usually the first sentence of each paragraph) to understand the main ideas.
3. Practice time management – allocate your time wisely among different question types.
4. For True/False/Not Given questions, be careful not to bring in outside knowledge; stick strictly to what’s stated in the passage.
5. In Multiple Choice questions, eliminate obviously incorrect options to increase your chances of selecting the correct answer.
6. For Matching Headings, look for key words or phrases that summarize the main idea of each paragraph.
7. In Summary Completion tasks, read the whole summary first to understand the context before filling in the blanks.

Remember, regular practice with diverse reading materials will significantly improve your performance in the IELTS Reading section. Good luck with your preparation!

To further enhance your IELTS preparation, you might want to check out our article on the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems, which covers another important environmental topic that could appear in the IELTS test.