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Deforestation

Definition

Deforestation refers to the clearing, removal, or destruction of forests. It involves the permanent conversion of forested areas into non-forest land for various purposes such as agriculture, urbanization, or logging.

Analogy

Imagine a beautiful and vibrant garden filled with diverse plants and animals. Now picture someone coming in and ripping out all the plants, leaving behind only barren soil. That's what deforestation does to our forests - it destroys their natural beauty and disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems.

Related terms

Biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms in a particular habitat or on Earth as a whole. Deforestation can lead to a loss of biodiversity as many species rely on forests for their survival.

Carbon Sequestration: Carbon sequestration is the process by which carbon dioxide (CO2) is captured from the atmosphere and stored long-term in vegetation, soils, or other reservoirs. Deforestation reduces carbon sequestration capacity since trees absorb CO2 during photosynthesis.

Desertification: Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert-like due to factors like deforestation, climate change, or unsustainable agricultural practices. Deforestation can contribute to desertification by removing protective tree cover that helps retain moisture in soil.