How is biodiversity impacted by habitat destruction?

Habitat destruction significantly impacts biodiversity by disrupting ecosystems, leading to a decline in species populations and potentially resulting in extinction. Ecosystems are made up of complex relationships between living organisms and their physical environment. When habitats are destroyed—due to urbanization, agriculture, deforestation, or other human activities—the intricate web of these relationships is disturbed.

For example, when a forest is cut down, the various species that depend on that habitat for food, shelter, and reproduction may find it increasingly difficult to survive. Some species may be able to adapt to new environments, but many face increased competition for resources, reduced populations, and fragmented habitats. As a result, vulnerable species—especially those with limited ranges or specialized needs—are at a higher risk of extinction.

This process of loss not only affects individual species but can also lead to the destabilization of entire ecosystems, which can have cascading effects on other species and the services those ecosystems provide, such as clean air and water, pollination of crops, and climate regulation. Therefore, habitat destruction is a significant threat to biodiversity, making the correct answer particularly relevant in understanding the vital connections within ecosystems.