The wider environmental, economic and social benefits to be derived from well-managed forest areas are not yet precisely known, but in areas that were poorly managed, the costs of rehabilitation have proved to be enormous. At the local community level, serious consequences can arise from the disappearance of forest cover, for example through ensuing loss of edible fruits, wildlife meat and hides, spices and other traditional products. Plentiful solar radiation and water supply ensure that tropical rain forests have a high primary production, about twice that of temperate forests. This high production is possible despite a common dearth of soil nutrients. Tropical forests are a reservoir of nutrients held mainly in the living vegetation rather than in the soil.
Deforestation frequently causes leaching of soil nutrients.
The thin layer of topsoil may be washed away. Land degradation may occur at the deforestation site and often also farther away. Desertification may ultimately result. Agroforestry may be a means to maintain soil fertility in areas cleared mainly for non-forestry uses. In the drylands, windbreaks and shelterbelts are essential to protect cropland from wind-caused erosion, to maintain soil moisture and to lower evaporation losses.