Final answer:
The introduction of feral pigs on Santa Cruz Island led to habitat destruction and disruption of native species through their omnivorous diet and rooting behavior, which in turn accelerated the extinction of the island fox and increased the skunk population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The introduction of feral pigs on Santa Cruz Island has significantly disrupted the natural ecosystem. These pigs, as omnivores, have a broad diet that can include small vertebrates, invertebrates, and plant materials. With their rooting behavior in search of food, feral pigs destroy native vegetation and animal habitats.
This habitat destruction directly affects the native island fox, whose populations decline due to loss of food sources and habitat, and increased competition and predation from other species that thrive because of the pigs' environmental alterations. Furthermore, the increase in the skunk population can be attributed to the change in the ecosystem caused by pigs, as skunks may benefit from pigs' foraging leftovers and disturbed habitats, which can create new opportunities for them to find food and shelter.