Which human activity is most closely linked to the decline of wildlife populations?

Urban development is most closely linked to the decline of wildlife populations due to several interconnected factors. As urban areas expand, natural habitats are often destroyed or fragmented, leading to a direct loss of living space for many species. This loss of habitat can disrupt migration patterns, breeding grounds, and food sources critical to the survival of wildlife.

In addition to habitat destruction, urban development typically brings increased human activity, which can lead to disturbances that may displace or harm local wildlife. The pollution associated with urbanization, such as light, noise, and chemical pollutants, can further degrade the environments that wildlife depend on. Additionally, urban areas can create barriers to movement for many species, isolating populations and making them more vulnerable to extinction.

While wildlife observation, organic farming, and ecotourism can have benefits for wildlife conservation or ecosystem health when managed sustainably, urban development often poses a more immediate and larger-scale threat to wildlife populations by fundamentally altering their habitats and ecological dynamics.