What aspect of environmental leadership seeks to protect ecosystems?

The aspect of environmental leadership that seeks to protect ecosystems is focused on controlling surface erosion. This is essential because surface erosion can lead to the loss of soil, which is crucial for plant growth and maintaining healthy ecosystems. By implementing strategies to control erosion, environmental leaders can help preserve the integrity of natural habitats, reduce sedimentation in waterways, and maintain biodiversity. This proactive approach benefits not just the environment but also the communities that rely on these ecosystems for their livelihoods and well-being. Strategies could include planting vegetation to stabilize soil, creating barriers to prevent runoff, and promoting sustainable land-use practices.

The other choices, while important in their own right, relate more to social and labor concerns rather than directly addressing environmental protection. For instance, worker safety and training focus on safeguarding employees in workplaces, access to housing pertains to social equity, and freedom of association deals with workers' rights and collective bargaining. These aspects are critical for fostering a sustainable and ethical work environment, but they do not specifically target the protection of ecosystems as controlling surface erosion does.