Decay & Deterioration Vocabulary

originating from human activity

“Climate change is largely anthropogenic in origin.”

the condition of being damaged or the process of damaging

“Environmental degradation threatens future generations.”

the action of clearing forests

“Deforestation in the Amazon has accelerated alarmingly.”

the process by which fertile land becomes desert

“Overgrazing contributed to the desertification of the region.”

the gradual destruction by natural forces

“Coastal erosion threatens properties along the shore.”

reduction in the number or quantity of something

“The depletion of fish stocks concerns environmentalists.”

the action of making something impure

“Groundwater contamination affected the entire community.”

the presence of harmful substances in the environment

“Air pollution causes millions of premature deaths annually.”

the state of being extinct; no longer existing

“Human activity has accelerated the rate of species extinction.”

too poor to produce much vegetation

“The barren landscape stretched to the horizon.”