How does pollution impact biodiversity?

Pollution impacts biodiversity significantly by harming organisms and degrading their habitats. When pollutants enter ecosystems—through water, air, or soil—they can affect the health and survival of various species. For instance, chemicals like heavy metals and industrial waste can accumulate in the bodies of organisms, leading to poisoning, reduced reproductive success, and even death. This not only affects individual species but can also disrupt food webs and ecological interactions among species that depend on one another.

Degradation of habitats is another critical aspect of pollution's impact on biodiversity. Polluted environments may become unsuitable for native species, leading to declines in their populations. Habitat destruction from pollution can also create conditions that favor invasive species, which often thrive in compromised ecosystems. Thus, pollution leads to a cascade of negative effects that reduce biodiversity and alter ecosystem functions.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the broad and detrimental effects pollution has on natural ecosystems.