over-exploit
verb [ T ] (also overexploit) uk/ˌəʊ.vər.ɪkˈsplɔɪt/ us/ˌoʊ.vɚ.ɪkˈsplɔɪt/
过度开发，过度利用（尤指自然资源）
to use too much of something, especially a natural resource (= minerals, forests, coal, etc.)
The people of the wetland area had a sophisticated understanding of the need not to over-exploit its resources.
If we continue to overexploit bluefin tuna, stocks will soon be gone. 如果我们继续过度捕捞蓝鳍金枪鱼，鱼群将很快消失。
- More examples
- Radical land reform would mean that families would no longer be compelled to over-exploit their land.
- Some conservationists believe that once wildlife is handed over to communities, there will always be a temptation to over-exploit it.
- We need to stop systematically destroying species' habitats or overexploiting them for our increasingly demanding lifestyles.