Deforestation

Deforestation
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Deforestation happens when forests are permanently destroyed. The main culprits? Cutting down trees to make room for housing and urbanization, harvesting timber for commercial uses and creating room for cattle ranching or farming. In addition to destroying animal habitat, deforestation contributes to climate change and it also leads to soil erosion. Here is the latest science news about deforestation and how it is affecting our world.

Latest about deforestation

An all white anteater walking through grass with a GPS vest n its back.

World's only known albino giant anteater appears to be thriving in the wild, photos show

By Harry Baker published

The white anteater, known as Alvin, was first spotted late last year clinging to his mother's back.

Aerial view of trucks removing trees from a forest.

Deforestation: Facts, causes & effects

By Sarah Derouin last updated

Deforestation can include clearing the land for farming or livestock, or using the timber for fuel, construction or manufacturing.

A polar bear on melting ice in Svalbard, Norway.

Which animals are most likely to survive climate change?

By Emma Bryce published

What animal species will survive projected future droughts, rising temperatures and habitat loss?

A temple in Tikal, one of the Maya city states.

What Was Behind Mysterious Collapse of the Mayan Empire?

By Wynne Parry last updated

New research points out that the Mayans themselves had a hand in the demise of their empire.

Genghis Khan

Mongol Invasion in 1200 Altered Carbon Dioxide Levels

By Stephanie Pappas last updated

The Mongol invasion may have caused a small reduction in global CO2, though it was overshadowed by agriculture.

Healthy vegetation sits next to a field cleared by a fire in the Amazon in Rondonia State, Brazil

World leaders pledge to end deforestation by 2030

By Ben Turner published

The enormous pledge encompasses over 85% of the world's forests and more than 100 nations.

Trials of deforestation on hillsides

The world has a serious deforestation problem: These 7 images prove it.

By Scott Dutfield published

From Borneo to Bolivia, here are just a handful of places around the world were deforestation has become a real problem

The recently rediscovered species of Australian masked bee

Rare Australian bee rediscovered after nearly a century

By Harry Baker published

A rare Australian bee has been spotted for the first time since 1923. It was previously believed to be extinct.

Photo showing palm trees in a palm oil plantation.

What is palm oil?

By Grace Browne published

Palm oil is the most commonly produced oil in the world, and one of the most controversial.

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Amazon Deforestation Shot Up by 278% Last Month, Satellite Data Show

By Brandon Specktor published

The world's largest carbon offset is losing ground — fast.

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