Deforestation
Deforestation is the conversion of forest to another land use or a long-term reduction of tree canopy below the threshold used by the applicable forest definition. It differs from temporary tree-cover loss where the land remains classified as forest and regeneration is expected, so purpose, duration, and subsequent land use matter.
In simple terms
Deforestation is a land-use change, not simply the observation that trees disappeared. Forest converted to cropland, pasture, reservoirs, settlements, or other non-forest use is deforested under common reporting definitions. Harvesting, fire, or storm damage may cause temporary tree-cover loss without changing the land's forest classification when regeneration is expected. Different monitoring systems use defined thresholds and periods, so results depend on the stated forest and land-use methodology.
Why it matters
Forest conversion can release greenhouse gases, fragment habitat, alter water cycles, erode soils, and diminish natural capital that supports Indigenous Peoples and local livelihoods. Separating permanent land-use conversion from temporary cover loss improves inventories and policy responses. It also prevents reforestation elsewhere from obscuring the ecological and social consequences of losing a particular natural forest.
Example
For example, clearing a forest and maintaining the land for cattle pasture is deforestation. Harvesting a managed forest followed by timely regeneration may be recorded as temporary cover loss instead, although it can still change carbon stocks, biodiversity, and ecosystem condition.
How it differs
Reforestation
Deforestation is a long-term conversion from forest to another land use; reforestation re-establishes forest where forest cover was temporarily lost.