What is the meaning of deforestation?

According to Oxford Dictionaries, deforestation is the clearing of forests or trees. Deforestation includes the conversion of forestland to farms, ranches or urban areas. Deforestation takes place all over the world, especially in developing countries.

As of 2014, Indonesia has the highest rate of deforestation in the world, with 15 million acres of trees disappearing between 2000 and 2012. While deforestation does provide wood for making products, many scientists are against deforestation because the trees supply oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide and anchor the soil to prevent washouts and landslides. Deforestation is one of the major factors contributing to the greenhouse effect and desertification.