The most obvious reason is that the forests are clear-cut for logging, agriculture, cattle ranching, development, hydroelectric plants, mineral resources, resettlement, etc. This is O.K. on a small scale, but devastating on a larger scale. 20,000 km 3 are cleared for timber, pulp and other woods for export, mainly to Japan and the United States. Another important use is fuel cooking fuel. 20,000 km 3 are cleared for cattle ranching in Latin America most for export.
Population growth pressures the forest area.
Unequal distribution of land. A very small portion of the population owns most of the land. Deliberate resettlement projects. The need of the developed nations for the resources. In the 1980s, Brazil offered 250 acres to people willing to move to the forest, and provided subsides for cattle grazing.