Deforestation

Deforestation or forest clearance is the removal and destruction of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then converted to non-forest use. This often means turning forest land into farms, ranches, or urban areas. Today, about 31% of Earth's land surface is covered by forests, which is one-third less than the amount of forest cover before agriculture expanded. Much of this loss has happened in the last century, with an average of 2,400 trees cut down each minute.

The main cause of deforestation is agriculture. In recent years, nearly 90% of global deforestation has been due to creating new cropland or pasture for livestock. Forests are also cleared for plantations that produce items like coffee, palm oil, and rubber. Other factors include the wood industry, urbanization, mining, and increased wildfires linked to climate change.

Deforestation harms both nature and people. It leads to habitat destruction, causing a loss of biodiversity and putting many animals and plants at risk of extinction. It also affects the climate because forests help absorb carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming. Loss of forests can lead to problems like desertification and soil erosion, and it displaces indigenous people who depend on forests for their homes and livelihoods.

Definition

Deforestation is when forests are cleared and turned into other types of land, like farms or cities. This happens when trees are removed and the land is used for something else.

Deforestation is different from looking at the overall change in forest areas. The overall change includes both the loss of forests through deforestation and the gain of new forests. Depending on whether more forests are lost or gained, the total change can either increase or decrease the amount of forest land.

Current status by continent, region, country

The world has a total forest area of 4.14 billion hectares, which is 32% of the global land area. Europe has the largest forest area, accounting for 25% of the world’s total, while South America has the highest proportion of forest cover at 49% of its land area. More than half of the world’s forests are located in just five countries: Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, and China.

The rate of forest loss has decreased globally, but it increased again between 2015 and 2025. This change is due to a reduction in the rate of forest gain in some areas. Deforestation continues to be a major issue, especially in tropical and subtropical forests, which are home to many plant and animal species. Since 1990, about 489 million hectares of forest have been lost worldwide, though the rate of loss has slowed in recent years.

Causes

Agricultural expansion is the main reason forests are cut down. In 2025, about 90% of deforestation happened because of farming, especially growing crops and creating pastures for animals. Large farms, like those growing soy or raising cattle, are big contributors, especially in tropical areas. Trees are also cut for timber, fuel, and to clear land for crops and grazing.

Other reasons include logging for wood products, road building for economic growth, and mining. Climate change also plays a role, as warmer temperatures lead to more wildfires, which destroy forests. These changes not only remove trees but also affect the environment and wildlife that depend on forests.

Impacts

Deforestation greatly affects the atmosphere and climate. It is a major cause of climate change because it increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. When forests are cut down or burned, the carbon stored in the trees is released, adding to the greenhouse effect that warms the planet. This process is especially strong in tropical areas, where deforestation leads to more warming than in colder regions.

Deforestation also changes the water cycle. Trees help keep the land wet by absorbing water from the ground and releasing it into the air. Without trees, the land becomes drier, and soil can erode more easily. This can lead to problems like flooding and reduced water availability. Forests are important for keeping the water balance in many regions, and losing them can disrupt weather patterns and increase the risk of droughts.

Deforestation also harms biodiversity. Forests are home to many plants and animals, and cutting them down reduces the habitats these species need to survive. This loss of biodiversity can affect the medicines we develop and the balance of nature. Additionally, deforestation can increase the spread of diseases by bringing humans into closer contact with wildlife.

Monitoring

Scientists use different ways to watch and measure deforestation. One way is to look at pictures taken from airplanes or satellites. This can take a lot of work but doesn’t need special computer skills. Another method is to find places where forests are changing quickly and study those areas more closely with detailed satellite images.

Satellites are very important for learning about how much forest is being lost or grown back. For example, data from the Landsat satellite has helped create maps showing deforestation in places like the Amazon Basin, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia. Organizations like Greenpeace and the World Resources Institute also share maps showing how forests have changed over time.

Control

Further information: Sustainable development and Universal basic income in Brazil

Countries around the world have created rules to help protect forests. These rules include teaching people about the importance of forests, finding ways to make money without hurting forests, and making sure forest workers and managers have the tools they need. One big reason forests are cut down is because people need land for farming or because they are poor. Leaders can help by making sure that using forests matches their value for things like cleaning the air and helping fight climate change.

Some countries have made promises to stop cutting down forests. In 2014, many countries agreed to cut deforestation in half by 2020 and stop it completely by 2030, but this didn’t work well. In 2021, more countries joined together, including big forest owners like Brazil, to try again to stop and reverse deforestation by 2030. This group also promised money to help achieve these goals.

Indigenous communities, who live in forests, often protect them better than anyone else. Giving these communities rights to the land they live on can help save forests. For example, in Brazil, forests protected by Indigenous groups have less cutting than national parks.

Some places practice “slash-and-burn” farming, which quickly clears forests and hurts soil. Switching to “slash-and-char” can help save forests and improve soil. This creates biochar, a type of charcoal that helps soil stay healthy and captures carbon from the air.

Certifications like the Forest Stewardship Council help make sure wood comes from forests that are managed carefully. Agreements, like Brazil’s rule that big companies won’t buy soy from deforested areas, have also helped lower deforestation.

Main article: Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation

One way to fight climate change is by paying countries to keep their forests. This idea, called REDD, gives money to places that agree to limit or stop cutting down trees. Big organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank are working on these programs. They use satellites and other tools to watch and make sure countries are keeping their promises.

History

Further information: Timeline of environmental history

Forests have changed a lot over thousands of years. Long ago, during the Carboniferous period about 300 million years ago, huge rainforests covered the Earth. Climate changes made these forests disappear, which changed many plants and animals.

Humans have been cutting down forests for a very long time. Early people used fire to open up forests for hunting animals like red deer and wild boar. When farming began, people cleared even more forests to grow crops. In places like ancient Greece and Minoan Crete, deforestation led to soil erosion and other problems.

As civilizations grew, forests continued to disappear. For example, in Easter Island, the loss of trees coincided with big changes in the island's society. In Europe, the need for wood for ships and other uses led to more deforestation. Over time, people have tried to manage forests better, but the pressure to clear land for farming and other uses has continued.

Society and culture

Different cultures around the world have their own ways of thinking about cutting down trees. For instance, in the stories and traditions of the people in Manipur (a place in India), people believe that cutting down too many trees makes mother nature very sad. They think she weeps because she loses something very valuable.