If hunting has stopped in a protected area but water sources are polluted, why will conservation remain incomplete?

Correct answer: Because clean water is also an essential habitat component

The direct answer is C: clean water is an essential habitat component. Stopping hunting removes one threat, but animals still need safe water for drinking, body functions, food production and reproduction. Pollution may poison organisms directly, reduce oxygen, spread disease, damage aquatic food chains and contaminate plants or prey. Thus complete conservation requires both protection from hunting and maintenance of habitat quality. Option C is correct because water is a basic life-support resource. Option A is wrong because stopping hunting alone cannot remove pollution or other threats. Option B is wrong because every organism needs water directly or indirectly. Option D is wrong because pollution damages, rather than protects, ecosystems. Exam cue: habitat means food, water, shelter and breeding space—not only absence of hunting.