What does afforestation specifically refer to?

Afforestation specifically refers to the planting of trees in an area where there was no previous tree cover or forest. This process aims to create new forested areas, which serve various purposes such as increasing biodiversity, improving air quality, sequestering carbon, and enhancing soil stability. By introducing trees to areas previously lacking them, afforestation can plays a crucial role in combating climate change, restoring ecosystems, and providing habitats for wildlife.

The other options relate to different concepts: constructing beaches involves the management of coastal areas; removing trees is known as deforestation; and the creation of parks can include a variety of land management practices but is not exclusive to planting trees. Afforestation is distinct as it focuses specifically on the introduction of trees to a previously non-forested environment.