noun · academic

deforestation

UK/ˌdefəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/US/ˌdefəˈreɪʃən/de·fo·RAY·tion

Band 5-6speakingtask2

The large-scale removal of forests, usually to use the land for farming or other purposes.

Examples

Many tropical countries struggle to control deforestation.

Deforestation can cause soil erosion and loss of biodiversity.

Illegal logging is a major driver of deforestation in some regions.

Band 8 sentence

To tackle climate change, international cooperation is essential to reduce deforestation in tropical regions.

Collocations

  • cause deforestation
  • prevent deforestation
  • widespread deforestation

Word family

deforest verbdeforested adjdeforesting verb (gerund)

Common mistakes

do deforestationcause deforestation / carry out deforestation

make deforestationdeforestation / cause deforestation

cut forestcut down forests / log / carry out logging

Say it for a higher band

5cutting down trees6forest clearance7+deforestation

Synonyms

forest clearance

forest loss

Easily confused

logging

Logging for timber can lead to deforestation if not managed sustainably.

reforestation

Reforestation projects aim to restore areas affected by deforestation.

Related words

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In Nature & Animals

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