Deforestation Deforestation Definition Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests and woodlands. The increasing population requires greater food production - deforestation occurs as the forests are converted for agricultural uses. In the last three decades one fifth of all tropical forests were lost.
Most deforestation occurs in the moist forests and open woodlands of the tropics.
The World Resources Institute prepared an article for Agenda 21, Combatting Deforestation which contains an overview of the issue with policy options and examples of success. Also on this site are some graphics showing the Estimated Annual Deforestation Rates and the Estimated Rate of Tropical Deforestation . Chapter 11 of Adgenda 21 and the Forest Principles are international texts relating to deforestation. The World Wildlife Fund site has incredible forest maps that are colorful and very detailed on their Forest for Life site. Other articles include backround on Deforestation and a great one on The Value of Trees .