What are the causes of deforestation?

"What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another."

So, what does cause deforestation? Mostly, us humans. Lots of the activities and resources we do and need are a reason of deforestation. And even this is not impacting us well. 

Urbanization is one cause of deforestation. Urbanization is basically the growth of people living in an area. This increase is causing land to expand, as more people need more room. This results in cutting down trees to create room for housing or for other needs of the people. 

Forests obviously contain wood, as trees have barks. The need of wood is another cause. With wood, a lot is gained for us humans as well as lost. Wood can create furniture for homes and even matchsticks. In fact, we can even make paper. Though, we lose our tress along with species, oxygen and more. 

Illegal logging is another cause of deforestation. Illegal logging is the process of people cutting down trees without approval of doing so or in a protected place. Logging causes a large area to be cut down for the use of timber.


Farming is another cause of deforestation. Farmers usually grow crops for food. When no room remains for more crops, areas need clearing to create space. That way more crops can be grown.

Cattle ranching is also a cause of deforestation. Cattle graze on grass and need grass to graze. Forests tend to have fertile land and so they are removed for the cattle to graze.