The overharvesting of a single species can have significant impacts on an ecosystem, as it can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem and lead to a cascade of negative effects on other species.
For example, if a baleen whale is overharvested, it can affect the entire ecosystem in which it lives. Baleen whales are large, predatory animals that play important roles in their ecosystems as top predators. They help to regulate the populations of their prey species, and their feeding and migration patterns can influence the distribution and abundance of other species.
If the population of baleen whales is reduced due to overharvesting, it can lead to an increase in the population of their prey species, which could then have negative impacts on the ecosystem. For example, an increase in the population of smaller prey species could lead to a decrease in the populations of other species that rely on those prey species for food.
Additionally, the loss of baleen whales could have indirect effects on other species that rely on the whales for resources or habitat. For example, some species of birds and mammals use the whales' carcasses as a food source or shelter, and the loss of these resources could have negative impacts on these species.
Overall, the overharvesting of a single species can have far-reaching and complex effects on an ecosystem, and it is important to manage and protect all species in order to maintain the balance and health of the ecosystem.