Rain forests are not well suited for agriculture because the soil is poor in nutrients. Most of the forest's nutrients are in the plants. What remains in the soil is quickly leached out by the rains. After one or two years of farming or grazing the soil is exhausted, and more of the forest must be cleared. Clearing also leads to increased erosion once the roots of the trees are no longer present to hold the soil in place.
Erosion causes destruction of aquatic habitats due to siltation and flooding.
The destruction of rain forests is important to everyone. Many of the products that we enjoy are from rain forests, or have been developed from rain forest species. Many medicines are derived from rain forest plants. Drugs from rain forest plants are being discovered that help treat high blood pressure, heart disease, leukemia and other forms of cancer. Experts predict that rain forest destruction may alter global weather patterns if it has not already begun to.