Urbanization is rapidly expanding across the globe, significantly impacting natural habitats and biodiversity. As cities grow, they encroach on forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems, leading to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation.

**1. Habitat Loss:**  
The conversion of natural landscapes into urban areas results in the direct loss of habitats for countless species. Forests, grasslands, and wetlands are cleared to make way for housing, infrastructure, and commercial developments, displacing wildlife and reducing biodiversity. This loss of habitat is a leading cause of species decline and extinction.

**2. Habitat Fragmentation:**  
Urbanization often leads to the fragmentation of natural habitats, where large, continuous areas of ecosystems are divided into smaller, isolated patches. This fragmentation disrupts the movement and migration patterns of wildlife, limiting their access to food, mates, and shelter. It also increases the vulnerability of species to predators, disease, and climate change.

**3. Degradation of Ecosystems:**  
Urban development contributes to the degradation of remaining natural habitats through pollution, introduction of invasive species, and increased human-wildlife conflicts. Air and water pollution from cities can contaminate nearby ecosystems, while invasive species introduced by urbanization can outcompete native species, further threatening biodiversity.

**4. Loss of Ecosystem Services:**  
The destruction of natural habitats due to urbanization also leads to the loss of essential ecosystem services, such as air and water purification, flood control, and carbon sequestration. This not only impacts wildlife but also human communities that rely on these services for their well-being.

In conclusion, urbanization poses a significant threat to natural habitats, leading to habitat loss, fragmentation, and ecosystem degradation. Mitigating these impacts requires thoughtful urban planning and conservation efforts to protect and restore natural habitats while accommodating urban growth.