Final answer:
The Cross Timbers is a unique ecological region under threat from urbanization, which leads to habitat loss and fragmentation, endangering the biodiversity it supports.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Cross Timbers is a region referring to a unique area of land in the United States that serves as a transition zone between the eastern forests and the western prairies. This region is unique for its biodiversity, with a mix of prairie and woodland species of both plants and animals. However, it is facing considerable threat, principally from urbanization as cities expand into these areas. This development not only reduces the amount of available habitat but also fragments it, making it difficult for wildlife to thrive and for ecosystems to function properly.
Why is it in danger? The leading cause of species endangerment in the Cross Timbers, as well as worldwide, is habitat loss. Urban expansion, agriculture, and other forms of development lead to deforestation and landscape changes, which not only reduce the amount of available habitat for native species but also alter it greatly.
Deforestation and habitat degradation, propelled by human activities such as agriculture and urban development, directly reduce the regions' ecological richness and the many services it provides. In the broader context, the concepts presented here apply to biodiversity hotspots that are important because they are rich in endemic species – species confined to a certain area – and are losing their native vegetation rapidly. The destruction of these critical habitats places a considerable number of species at high risk of extinction and disrupts ecosystems that are often unable to recover without intervention.