Extinction refers to the permanent loss of a species, meaning that no individual members of that species remain alive. It occurs when the last existing member of a species dies, leading to the cessation of that species' genetic lineage. Extinction can result from various factors, including environmental changes, habitat loss, climate change, overexploitation, pollution, and the introduction of invasive species.
The process of extinction can happen naturally over geological time scales, but human activities have accelerated rates of extinction significantly in recent centuries, leading to a biodiversity crisis. Extinction has profound ecological implications, as it disrupts food webs, affects ecosystem services, and diminishes the overall resilience of the environment. Conservation efforts aim to protect endangered species and their habitats to prevent further extinctions.