What is a major consequence of habitat destruction on biodiversity?

Habitat destruction leads to the significant loss of species diversity, making it the correct answer. When natural habitats, such as forests, wetlands, or coral reefs, are altered or destroyed due to human activities like urban development, agriculture, and pollution, the organisms that depend on these environments for survival are greatly affected. This destruction can lead to a decline in populations of various species, disrupting the balance of ecosystems and resulting in extinction for some species.

As habitats are lost, the specialized niches that different species occupy can disappear, reducing the overall number of species present. This loss of genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity can diminish ecosystem resilience, making environments more susceptible to diseases and climate change. The interconnected nature of species interactions means that when one species is lost, it can trigger a cascade of losses within the ecosystem, further exacerbating the decline in biodiversity.

Other options, such as increased species interactions and stabilization of ecosystems, are unlikely outcomes of habitat destruction. Habitat loss typically decreases complexity and stability within ecosystems rather than enhancing them.