deforestation

[dee-fawr-uh-stey-shuhn, for-]

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.

deforestation

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.

deforestation

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.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of deforestation¹

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

Example Sentences

The Amazon rainforest could face a renewed surge of deforestation as efforts grow to overturn a long-standing ban that has protected it.

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She works with around 200 farming families in the Apui region, which has one of the highest rates of deforestation.

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Emissions from changing land-use – such as permanent deforestation – are forecast to be lower than last year, however.

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

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Researchers said a reduction in deforestation and damaging fires in South America -- partly linked to the end of very dry 2023-2024 El Nino conditions -- had played a role in reducing net land use emissions.

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Related Words

• desertification 
• erosion 
• logging