A delayed future loss of species caused by past environmental change. Habitat loss or fragmentation can leave surviving populations that are not viable in the long term, so present species richness exceeds what the altered system can sustain. The delay provides a potential opportunity for restoration or reconnection before losses are realized.[ref]
Habitat destruction and the extinction debt by David Tilman and others. Abstract: delayed losses following habitat fragmentation
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Extinction debt refers to the phenomenon where a species is at risk of extinction in the future despite currently still existing in a habitat or ecosystem. This can occur when environmental changes or habitat loss have already caused significant declines in population or reproductive success, making it likely that the species will eventually go extinct even if immediate conditions might seem suitable for its survival. The concept of extinction debt is often associated with habitat fragmentation, climate change, or other human-induced pressures that impact ecosystems.