“Natural resources have historically played a decisive role in the economic fortunes of nations. Their extraction and utilization drive significant industrial and developmental processes. However, this exploitation is not without severe environmental repercussions. The intensive extraction of resources has often led to deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution, endangering ecological balance. Societies have struggled to reconcile the pursuit of economic gain with the imperative of environmental conservation. As such, sustainable practices have emerged as a key challenge for modern economies facing these dual pressures.”

• Jared Diamond, Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, 2005

Based on the passage, which of the following is a significant environmental concern resulting from the exploitation of natural resources?