Noise pollution in urban environments significantly impacts wildlife and ecosystems. Urban noise, originating from traffic, construction, and industrial activities, creates a constant background of sound that can have detrimental effects on animal behaviour and physiology. For wildlife, noise pollution can interfere with communication, which is crucial for mating, territory defence, and warning of predators. This interference can lead to reduced reproductive success and increased vulnerability to predators. Additionally, chronic noise exposure can cause stress in animals, leading to physiological changes such as increased heart rate and altered hormone levels. These stress responses can impact the health and survival of individuals. Birds, for instance, may change their song frequencies or timings to avoid noise interference, which can affect their ability to attract mates and reproduce. Noise pollution can also disrupt migration patterns of wildlife, as animals might avoid noisy areas, leading to habitat fragmentation. Aquatic life is not exempt; noise from boats and underwater construction can affect fish and marine mammals, disrupting their communication, navigation, and feeding behaviours. Overall, noise pollution alters the natural dynamics of ecosystems, leading to changes in species distribution and abundance, and potentially affecting ecosystem health and function.

Light pollution in urban areas has a profound impact on biodiversity, particularly affecting nocturnal species. Artificial lighting alters natural light cycles, disrupting the behavioural patterns of many species. For instance, it can affect the feeding, mating, and migration behaviours of insects, birds, mammals, and even aquatic organisms. Insects, such as moths, are often attracted to artificial lights, making them more vulnerable to predators and reducing their effectiveness as pollinators. This has a cascading effect on the food web, impacting species that rely on these insects for food. Birds that migrate or hunt at night can become disoriented by bright urban lighting, leading to collisions with buildings or exhaustion. Furthermore, artificial lighting can disrupt the reproductive cycles of some species and alter competitive interactions among species. Aquatic ecosystems are not immune to light pollution either; it can affect the behaviour of fish and other aquatic organisms, disrupting nocturnal feeding and breeding patterns. Overall, light pollution contributes to the loss of biodiversity in urban areas by interfering with the natural behaviours essential for the survival and reproduction of many species.

Interestingly, urbanisation can have some positive effects on certain species or aspects of biodiversity. Urban areas can provide habitats for a range of species that have adapted to the urban environment. For example, some bird species, such as pigeons and house sparrows, thrive in cities due to the abundance of food sources and nesting sites. Urban gardens, parks, and green spaces can serve as important refuges for wildlife, offering habitats for insects, birds, and small mammals. These green spaces can promote biodiversity by providing a variety of microhabitats and resources. Additionally, urban areas can act as 'heat islands', with slightly warmer temperatures than surrounding rural areas. This can benefit certain species by extending their growing or breeding seasons. However, it's important to note that while urbanisation may benefit some species, it often favours generalist and invasive species over specialist and native species. The overall effect of urbanisation on biodiversity is typically negative, but careful urban planning and the creation of green spaces can mitigate some of these impacts and promote urban biodiversity.

Invasive species play a significant role in habitat destruction exacerbated by urbanisation and resource extraction. These species, often introduced unintentionally through human activities, can thrive in disturbed environments created by urban expansion and resource extraction activities. Invasive species outcompete native species for resources, leading to a decline in native biodiversity. They can alter the structure and function of ecosystems by changing soil composition, hydrology, and nutrient cycling. For example, in urban areas, landscaping and gardening activities often introduce non-native plant species, which can spread to natural habitats and outcompete indigenous flora. Similarly, resource extraction activities, such as mining and logging, create disturbed lands where invasive species can easily establish and spread. The impact of invasive species is significant as they can cause the extinction of native species, reduce habitat quality, and alter ecosystem processes, contributing to the overall decline in biodiversity.

Urbanisation significantly impacts soil quality, often leading to its degradation. As natural landscapes are converted into urban areas, soil is often compacted and sealed under concrete and asphalt. This process reduces soil permeability, hindering water infiltration and leading to increased surface runoff and erosion. The loss of topsoil, rich in nutrients and organic matter, severely affects the soil's fertility, impacting plant growth and reducing the area available for native species. Additionally, urban environments often introduce pollutants into the soil, including heavy metals and chemical contaminants from industrial and domestic sources. These pollutants can harm soil microorganisms and plants, further reducing biodiversity. The degradation of soil in urbanised areas disrupts the natural balance, often leading to the loss of native species and the invasion of non-native species that can thrive in such altered conditions. This change in species composition affects the entire ecosystem, impacting food chains and ecological relationships.