Encroaching urbanization is a major challenge for conservation in the Sonoran Desert, threatening habitats and biodiversity.

As cities like Phoenix and Tucson expand, urbanization increasingly consumes desert land, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation. The development of homes, roads, and industries disrupts wildlife corridors and reduces available space for native species to thrive. Additionally, water use for urban areas puts pressure on local resources, like the Colorado River, impacting the delicate desert ecosystem. While drought conditions and illegal hunting also pose challenges, urbanization remains one of the most significant threats to long-term conservation efforts in the Sonoran Desert.