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Deforestation is the conversion of forest land into non-forest uses, including farms, pastures, plantations, cities, and mines.
Deforestation is the removal or destruction of forests and the conversion of forested land to non-forest uses. These uses include agriculture, livestock pasture, plantations, urban development, mining, and infrastructure. It may result from direct human activities or, in some definitions, from other causes that permanently change forest land. Deforestation differs from forest degradation, which damages forest ecosystems without completely removing them, and from net forest-area change, which combines forest losses with forest gains from reforestation, afforestation, or natural expansion. The scope of deforestation is global, but its effects are especially severe in tropical and subtropical regions. Agriculture is the largest direct driver, particularly cropland expansion, cattle ranching, and plantations for commodities such as palm oil, coffee, and rubber. Logging, urbanization, mining, wildfires, drought, pests, diseases, and climate change also contribute. Deforestation causes habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, species extinctions, soil erosion, desertification, local climate changes, reduced carbon sequestration, and the displacement of Indigenous and forest-dependent communities. Although the global rate of forest loss has generally declined since the 1990s, substantial forest destruction continues, especially in tropical primary forests.
Deforestation is the conversion of forest land into non-forest uses, including farms, pastures, plantations, cities, and mines.
It is distinct from forest degradation and from net forest-area change, which accounts for both forest losses and forest gains.
Agriculture, especially cropland expansion, livestock grazing, and commercial plantations, is the primary direct driver of deforestation.
Logging, urbanization, mining, wildfires, climate change, pests, diseases, and extreme weather are additional causes.
Deforestation leads to habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, soil erosion, climate impacts, reduced carbon storage, and displacement of forest communities.
Tropical primary forests are particularly important because they contain high biodiversity and store substantial amounts of carbon.
The removal or destruction of a forest and conversion of the land to a non-forest use.
The decline in the quality, structure, or ecological function of a forest without complete forest removal.
The balance between forest losses and forest gains, such as reforestation, afforestation, and natural forest expansion.
A mature forest that has experienced little or no significant human disturbance and is especially valuable for biodiversity and carbon storage.
The establishment of forests on land that has not recently been forested.
The restoration or replanting of forest on land where forests were previously removed or damaged.
The process by which forests absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
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