What is one potential impact of herbicides on aquatic invertebrates?

The choice of toxicity affecting ecosystem health accurately points to a significant concern regarding herbicide application in aquatic environments. Herbicides can introduce chemicals into the water that may be harmful to various aquatic organisms, particularly invertebrates such as insect larvae, shrimp, and mollusks. These organisms often serve critical roles in the food web, helping to decompose organic material and serving as a food source for fish and other wildlife.

When herbicides cause toxicity in these invertebrates, it can lead to decreased populations, which in turn disrupts the balance of the ecosystem. As invertebrate populations decline, there can be cascading effects throughout the food web, including potential decreases in fish populations that rely on these invertebrates for food. Furthermore, reduced invertebrate health can impair their ability to fulfill their ecological roles, leading to poorer water quality and overall ecosystem health.

In contrast, the other options suggest outcomes that are unlikely in the context of using herbicides, as increased biodiversity and improved water quality are typically not associated with the application of these chemicals, especially if they lead to harmful effects on non-target organisms. Enhanced fish populations also cannot be assumed, as they can suffer from the downstream effects of reduced invertebrate and overall ecosystem health.