Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
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.
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 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.