e ‧ co ‧ cide /ˈiːkəʊsaɪd $ ˈiːkoʊ-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
the gradual destruction of a large area of land, including all of the plants, animals etc living there, because of the effects of human activities such as cutting down trees, using ↑ pesticide s etc SYN ecological genocide