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

"Changes in soil moisture or deforestation can have immediate, cascading impacts on yields."

From Science Daily

Lula boasts an overall positive environmental record, having overseen a sharp decline in deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

From Barron's

This means tracking deforestation and pollution that they, as well as their suppliers and subcontractors, cause, plus other issues like forced labour -- and taking steps to curtail them.

From Barron's

Brazil came up with a face-saving idea of roadmaps on deforestation and fossil fuels that would exist outside the COP.

From BBC

He has also pointed to his record in slashing rates of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

From BBC

Related Words

• desertification
• erosion
• logging