Reading Comprehension

Passage: Biodiversity conservation has become a critical global priority as scientists warn of an ongoing mass extinction event driven by human activities. Habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation of species are pushing countless organisms toward extinction at rates far exceeding natural background levels. The loss of biodiversity threatens not only the survival of individual species but also the stability of ecosystems that provide essential services to humanity, including clean water, air purification, and crop pollination. Conservation efforts range from establishing protected areas to implementing sustainable resource management practices. International agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity aim to coordinate global action, but implementation remains challenging. Many experts argue that addressing the root causes of biodiversity loss requires systemic changes in economic systems and consumption patterns, rather than merely treating symptoms through isolated conservation projects. Question: The word 'overexploitation' in the passage most nearly means: