deforestation

/di,fɔris'teiʃn/

Thân thiện

The map shows the effects of deforestation in the region.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The action or process of clearing forests by removing trees: This refers to the human activity of cutting down or burning trees in a forested area, often to convert the land to other uses such as agriculture or urban development.
   • The state resulting from the removal of trees from a forested area: This describes the condition of a landscape that has been stripped of its forest cover.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The rapid deforestation of the Amazon rainforest is a major environmental concern. (This describes the ongoing process of tree removal.)
  • The satellite images show the extent of deforestation in the region over the past decade. (This refers to the resulting state or condition of the land.)
  • Policies to combat deforestation include promoting sustainable logging. (This uses the word to denote the general problem or phenomenon.)

Advanced Usage and Context

• "Deforestation and degradation": Often used together in environmental science; "deforestation" implies complete removal of forest cover, while "degradation" refers to the reduction in the quality of a forest.
  • The report analyzes both deforestation and forest degradation in the tropics.
• "Rate of deforestation": A common phrase to discuss the speed or scale at which forests are being cleared.
  • The rate of deforestation has slowed in some countries due to new regulations.

Variants and Related Words

• Deforest (verb): To clear an area of its forest or trees.
  • The land was deforested to make way for a palm oil plantation.
• Reforestation (noun): The opposite process; the act of replanting trees in an area that was previously forested.
  • Reforestation projects aim to restore ecosystems damaged by deforestation.

Synonyms

• Clearcutting: (Specifically refers to a logging practice of removing all trees from an area.)
• Forest clearance: (A more general term for the removal of a forest.)

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "Driver of deforestation": A factor that causes or accelerates deforestation (e.g., agricultural expansion, logging, infrastructure development).
  • Cattle ranching is a primary driver of deforestation in South America.
• "Zero deforestation": A policy or commitment goal to eliminate net forest loss.
  • The company pledged to achieve zero deforestation in its supply chain by 2030.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the removal of trees
2. the state of being clear of trees

Từ đồng nghĩa

• disforestation