Which energy resource collection method is most likely to lead to habitat destruction?

The method of energy resource collection that is most likely to lead to habitat destruction is mountaintop and deep mining. This technique involves the removal of the tops of mountains to access coal and other mineral resources, which can result in significant alterations to the landscape. The removal of vegetation and topsoil disrupts local ecosystems, destroys habitats for wildlife, and can lead to increased erosion and sedimentation in nearby waterways.

Specifically, mountaintop removal mining can eliminate entire ecosystems and alter the structure of the geography, which can lead to the extinction of local flora and fauna. Additionally, the byproducts of mining activities can contaminate soil and water resources, further harming the environment.

Other methods of resource collection, like shallow or deep wells and rock mining for uranium, might have environmental impacts as well, but they generally do not involve such extensive alteration of the landscape and habitat as mountaintop and deep mining. Thus, the scale and direct impact of mountaintop mining make it particularly detrimental to habitats compared to the other options.