deforestation

American  

[dee-fawr-uh-stey-shuhn, for-] / ˌdi fɔr əˈsteɪ ʃən, fɒr- /

noun

1. the clearing or severe thinning of a forest or other wooded area, leaving few or no trees.

   Most of the world’s deforestation is happening in Brazil.

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deforestation Scientific  

/ dē-fôr′ĭ-stā′shən /

1. The cutting down and removal of all or most of the trees in a forested area. Deforestation can erode soils, contribute to desertification and the pollution of waterways, and decrease biodiversity through the destruction of habitat.

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deforestation Cultural  

1. The process of destroying a forest and replacing it with something else. The term is used today to refer to the destruction of forests by human beings and their replacement by agricultural systems.

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Discover More

Deforestation is considered to be a main contributor to the greenhouse effect.

Etymology

Origin of deforestation

First recorded in 1870–75; deforest ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

BBC News has recently documented uncovered toxic waste ponds, deforestation and soil erosion at rare earth mines in Northern China.

From BBC

They were already established long before widespread deforestation during British rule.

From Science Daily

Add deforestation and ravaging fires, and it’s fair to say that, in a few months, humans can swiftly and completely ruin forest habitat that was thousands of years in the making.

From The Wall Street Journal

Outside of protected areas, palm oil plantations are a major source of deforestation.

From Barron's

Water bankruptcy also is caused by deforestation, loss of wetlands and pollution, the researchers said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• desertification
• erosion
• logging