Which of the following is a direct impact on wildlife populations?

Urban development is a direct impact on wildlife populations because it alters or destroys natural habitats. When urban areas expand, they can lead to habitat fragmentation, loss of biodiversity, and increased human-wildlife conflicts. As natural landscapes are replaced with buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, the resources that wildlife depend on—such as food, shelter, and breeding sites—become limited or entirely unavailable. This can result in declining populations or force wildlife to adapt to urban environments, which may not be sustainable for the long term.

While education about wildlife and the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries provide significant indirect benefits to wildlife populations by promoting conservation and protection efforts, they do not directly alter the conditions of the habitats or influence population numbers in the same immediate manner as urban development does. Therefore, understanding the consequences of urbanization is critical in conservation efforts aimed at preserving wildlife populations.