Large areas of the rainforest are being cut down. There are many reasons for this destruction. The people of the rainforest cut down trees so that they can plant crops. The soil of the rainforest is bad for farming, so every few years the farmers clear a new section. Left behind is a section with no trees and pooer soil for farming.

Ranchers cut sections of the rainforest to provide grazing areas for their cattle. Logging companies cut down trees that are used for building material and paper products. The charts on the next column will tell you about the problems and the speed of rainforest destruction.