What impact does air pollution have on wildlife?

Air pollution significantly impacts wildlife in various detrimental ways, primarily causing health problems and leading to habitat degradation. Pollutants such as heavy metals, particulate matter, and chemicals can enter ecosystems and bioaccumulate within animals, leading to toxicity and health issues, including respiratory problems, reproductive failures, and even mortality.

Additionally, air pollutants can alter or degrade habitats by affecting the quality of water bodies and soil, thus threatening plant and animal life dependent on these ecosystems. For example, acid rain, resulting from air pollution, can damage forests and water bodies, disrupting the ecological balance. Wildlife ultimately suffers not only from direct health impacts but also from the loss of suitable habitats that are crucial for their survival.