Deforestation is the permanent removal of forests to convert land for other uses such as agriculture, urban development, mining, or infrastructure. This process has significant environmental consequences: forests absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, so deforestation contributes to climate change; forests provide habitat for countless species, so their removal causes biodiversity loss; forests regulate water cycles and prevent erosion, so clearing them can cause flooding and soil degradation. While Canada has vast forests and relatively low deforestation rates compared to tropical regions, issues include development pressure in southern forests, impacts of resource extraction, and the role of Canadian companies abroad. Municipalities address local tree cover through urban forestry programs, tree protection bylaws, and development requirements for maintaining or replacing vegetation.