Final answer:
Clear-cutting is the removal of whole forests when harvesting timber, causing damage to forest ecosystems and endangering wildlife.
Step-by-step explanation:
The removal of whole forests when harvesting timber is called clear-cutting. This practice has caused significant damage to forest ecosystems and has put wildlife species at risk of endangerment.
Clear-cutting involves cutting down all the trees in an area, which leads to soil erosion, habitat loss, and a decrease in biodiversity. For example, clear-cutting in the Amazon rainforest has contributed to climate change and the extinction of many species.