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Urbanization is the transformation of unoccupied or sparsely occupied land into densely occupied cities. Urban areas can grow from increases in human populations or from migration into urban areas. Urbanization often results in deforestation, habitat loss, and the extraction of freshwater from the environment, which can decrease biodiversity and alter species ranges and interactions. Human activities in urban areas, such as the burning of fossil fuels and industrial waste also increases pollutants in the environment that can affect the health of humans and other species.
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