How does agriculture typically affect species diversity in local ecosystems?

Agriculture has a significant impact on species diversity, often leading to a reduction in biodiversity in local ecosystems. The correct choice reflects that extensive agricultural practices frequently promote monoculture, which is the cultivation of a single crop species over a large area. This practice simplifies ecosystems and reduces the variety of different plant and animal species.

Monoculture can lead to the displacement of native flora and fauna, as the habitat becomes dominated by a single species that lacks the complexity and variety of natural ecosystems. As a result, many species that rely on diverse habitats for survival may decline or disappear entirely. The reduction in varied habitats limits the ecological niches available for other species, leading to decreased overall biodiversity.

While agriculture can introduce some new habitats and potentially increase certain aspects of genetic diversity within a single crop species, these benefits do not compensate for the broader ecological consequences of losing diverse habitats and species interactions. Thus, the most accurate reflection of agriculture’s impact on local species diversity is its tendency to reduce it through practices like monoculture.