Cutting down most or all trees in an area of forest is known as deforestation. Typically, these trees are felled for timber or to clear land for agriculture or urban development. The loss of these forests and their complex ecosystems will often fragment remaining habitat into smaller sections, which limits the ability for surviving fauna to safely disperse and migrate. Deforestation also can increase the risk of soil erosion and landslides in mountainous terrain, and pave the way for encroachment of invasive species. Allowing trees to regrow, or restoring native trees and other plants in deforested areas, can reverse biodiversity declines over time.
