The clearing or removal of forested areas, generally for agricultural, urban, or infrastructural development, is a critical concept in the study of human geography. This process involves converting forest land to other land uses, resulting in significant environmental and societal consequences. An example is the clearing of the Amazon rainforest for cattle ranching or soybean cultivation.
Understanding this concept is vital due to its impacts on biodiversity, climate change, and indigenous populations. Forests serve as carbon sinks, playing a crucial role in regulating the global climate. Their destruction contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating global warming. Historically, this process has been driven by population growth, economic development, and government policies.
