Biology Regents Practice Exam

What impacts does deforestation have on local wildlife?

1. Increased habitat availability

2. Loss of biodiversity

3. Stabilization of ecosystems

4. Reduction of invasive species

The correct answer is: Loss of biodiversity

Deforestation significantly impacts local wildlife primarily through the loss of biodiversity. When forests are cleared or degraded, the habitats that countless species rely on for shelter, food, and breeding are destroyed. This habitat loss can lead to decreases in species populations and even extinction, particularly for those species that are endemic or have specialized habitat requirements. Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem stability and resilience; a loss of biodiversity means fewer species that can perform vital ecological roles, which may lead to further imbalances in the ecosystem. As different species disappear, the complex interdependencies within the food web and ecosystem functions can break down, leading to degraded environments that can no longer support the wildlife that once thrived there. The other options, such as increased habitat availability and stabilization of ecosystems, contradict the reality of what deforestation entails. Likewise, the idea that deforestation leads to a reduction of invasive species is inaccurate, as cleared areas can often become susceptible to invasive species that thrive in disturbed environments.