Why Does Overharvesting Happen?

The primary drivers of biodiversity loss are influenced by the exponential growth of the human population, increased consumption as people strive for more affluent lifestyles, and reduced resource efficiency.

What is the cause and effect of overharvesting?

Sustained overharvesting can lead to the destruction of the resource, and is one of the five main activities – along with pollution, introduced species, habitat fragmentation, and habitat destruction – that threaten global biodiversity today. All living organisms require resources to survive.

What is overharvesting and where does it occur?

“Overharvesting” is a broad term that refers to the harvesting of a renewable resource at a rate that is unsustainable. The term can apply to plants, fish stocks, forests, grazing pastures, and game animals.