Why is it important to study the ecology of animals? * 1 point It is crucial for ensuring the continued survival of many populations when their natural environments are altered by human activity. It is now a highly synthetic science that incorporates everything we know about the behavior, physiology, genetics, and evolution of animals to study the interactions between populations of animals and their environments. It helps us understand how these diverse interactions determine geographical distributions and abundance of animal populations.

the correct answer is - ability to find a mate

the right option is; decreased genetic variation  

decreased genetic variation describes the effect of this environmental change.

genetic variation is the naturally occurring genetic diversities or differences between organisms of the same species in a population. genetic variation allows the survival and adaptability of a species when they encounter changing environmental conditions. when an endangered species reduces, it loses genetic variation which may not be restored even if the species rebound and will only be recovered through the gradual collection of mutations over many years.