What can be a consequence of urbanization in areas with rich biodiversity?

Urbanization often leads to increased development in previously agricultural or natural areas, resulting in significant changes to the land use and habitat availability. As cities expand, the infrastructure needed for housing, transportation, and other urban functions can encroach on and fragment ecosystems, leading to a reduction in available habitats for wildlife. This habitat loss is particularly concerning in areas with rich biodiversity, as it can threaten various species by diminishing the space needed for their survival, breeding, and feeding.

The pressure of urban sprawl can create barriers for wildlife movement and reduce the overall ecological integrity of these regions. This loss not only affects individual species but can also disrupt ecological processes and lead to decreased biodiversity overall. In contrast, the other choices do not address the direct impact of urbanization on habitat loss, as increasing agricultural land may occur in some contexts, improved access to natural resources generally does not compensate for the loss of habitat, and while urban areas can build community ties, it does not mitigate the negative effects on biodiversity. Therefore, recognizing the relationship between urbanization and habitat reduction is key to understanding the consequences of development in biodiverse areas.