What is the definition of deforistation?

Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests for other land uses, such as agriculture, urbanization, or logging. It involves clearing trees and converting forested land to non-forested land.

Here are some key points to remember about deforestation:

* Permanent: Deforestation implies a long-term change in land use, meaning the forest is unlikely to return to its previous state.

* Human-induced: Deforestation is almost always caused by human activities, not natural processes.

* Multiple causes: Deforestation can be driven by factors like population growth, poverty, demand for agricultural land, and timber extraction.

* Global impact: Deforestation has far-reaching consequences, including climate change, biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and decreased water quality.

It's important to distinguish between deforestation and forest degradation, which refers to a decline in the quality of a forest, even if it is not completely cleared.