Which of the following poses the greatest immediate threat to wildlife populations?

Loss of habitat is recognized as the greatest immediate threat to wildlife populations because it directly alters the natural environments where animals live, forage, and reproduce. When habitats are destroyed or fragmented, wildlife struggles to find food, shelter, and mates, leading to decreased population sizes and increased vulnerability. This issue can arise from various human activities, such as urban development, agriculture, and logging, which can change the landscape and reduce the available living space for many species.

While hunting pressure, climate change, and pollution also severely impact wildlife, these factors often take longer to manifest or have a more indirect relation to the immediate survival of wildlife populations. For instance, hunting pressure can be managed through regulations, allowing populations to recover; climate change's effects may increase over time, and pollution may accumulate gradually rather than showing immediate consequences. In contrast, habitat loss can lead to quick declines in animal numbers if they cannot adapt or relocate to survive. Hence, habitat loss poses an urgent challenge that requires immediate attention to ensure the survival and health of wildlife populations.