Which of the following consequences is linked to resource depletion due to overpopulation?

Resource depletion due to overpopulation is closely associated with the mass extinction of species. As human populations grow, the demand for land, food, water, and other natural resources increases significantly. This heightened demand often leads to the over-exploitation of these resources, resulting in habitat destruction, pollution, and competition for resources.

When ecosystems become unbalanced due to the loss of habitats and species, many organisms face extinction as they cannot adapt quickly enough or find adequate resources to survive. The biodiversity of an ecosystem is crucial for its stability; when many species disappear, it disrupts the complex relationships between organisms that sustain the environment.

In contrast, increased fertility rates, improved resource management, and stabilization of the ecosystem do not directly relate to the consequences of resource depletion caused by overpopulation. Increased fertility rates would contribute further to overpopulation, while improved resource management could potentially mitigate resource depletion. Stabilization of the ecosystem implies a balanced state, which is unlikely during a period of significant resource depletion and mass extinction.