How can harvesting lead to extinction?

Harvesting can lead to extinction by depleting population numbers. When organisms are harvested at a rate that exceeds their natural reproduction and recovery potential, this can result in significant reductions in population size. As the population declines, it may reach a critical threshold where it can no longer sustain itself, leading to decreased genetic diversity, increased vulnerability to disease, and difficulty in finding mates. This further accelerates the decline toward extinction.

In addition, if the harvesting is not sustainable or if it targets specific species or life stages (such as juveniles or breeding adults), it can disrupt the ecosystem balance and have cascading effects on other species that rely on those populations for food or ecological services. Consequently, when a species loses individuals rapidly without sufficient recovery, the risk of extinction increases significantly, highlighting the critical need for sustainable management practices in harvesting.