Final answer:
An increase in food availability is not an effect of overpopulation; instead, overpopulation generally leads to the depletion of resources such as food and water, changes in ecosystems, and a decline in biodiversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
All of the following are effects of overpopulation EXCEPT an increase in food availability. Overpopulation typically leads to a strain on resources such as food, water, and land, which can have a negative impact on these supplies. It can lead to changes in ecosystems, habitat destruction, and decrease in biodiversity due to the demand for land and resources, as well as unsustainable agricultural practices.
With an increasing human population, the demand for food supply and water supply also increases, leading to overutilization and potential shortages. This intensified use of land for agriculture and living space can result in ecosystem alteration and biodiversity loss, where species are threatened or pushed to extinction. Human-driven habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change can also contribute to diminished biodiversity.
There are examples where humans have strived to increase the carrying capacity of their environment, such as through advancements in agriculture and domestication of animals. However, the notion that increased human population leads to increased biodiversity, due to enhanced food supplies and medical advances, is a misconception. The increasing population often leads to unsustainable resource use and ecological imbalances.