What is a major factor contributing to forest fragmentation?

Urban development is a major factor contributing to forest fragmentation because it leads to the conversion of forested areas into urban or suburban environments. This process often results in the cutting down of trees, the construction of roads, and the establishment of buildings, which breaks up the continuous landscape of forests into smaller, isolated patches. These fragmented patches can have negative effects on biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and ecosystem services, as many species require large, contiguous areas of habitat to thrive. Additionally, urban development alters the natural water cycles and introduces pollution, further stressing the fragmented forest areas.

In contrast, natural disasters, such as wildfires or hurricanes, may temporarily damage forests but do not inherently result in permanent fragmentation. Forest conservation initiatives aim to protect and maintain forested areas, which counters the effects of fragmentation. Increased rainfall affects forest health and growth but is not a direct cause of fragmentation itself.