Question

Write a short note on over exploitation.

Hint:

Compare how fast a population is harvested against how fast it can naturally replace its losses.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Natural populations of plants and animals can renew themselves over time, but only up to a certain rate. Overexploitation is what happens when humans take from that population faster than it can recover.

Step 2: Define it.
Overexploitation means using or harvesting a species or natural resource at a rate greater than its natural capacity to regenerate, which steadily shrinks the population instead of letting it stay stable.

Step 3: Give the consequence and an example.
If overexploitation continues unchecked, the species population keeps falling until it can disappear altogether. Historically, Steller's sea cow and the passenger pigeon were both driven to extinction within a short span of human overexploitation (excessive hunting).

Final Answer:
Overexploitation is excessive use of a natural resource beyond its ability to regenerate, and it is a major cause of species extinction, as seen with the passenger pigeon and Steller's sea cow.