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This image shows the extent of deforestation in
the state of Rondonia, Brazil. Tropical rainforest appears bright
red, while pale red and brown areas represent cleared land. Black
and gray areas have probably been recently burned. The Jiparaná
River appears blue. Most of the clearing is done for agriculture
– grazing cattle, and planting crops. Large cattle pastures
often replace rainforest to grow beef for the world market. Commercial
logging is another common form of deforestation, cutting trees
for sale as timber or pulp.
Sources: NASA/ GSFC/ METI/ ERSDAC/ JAROS, and US/ Japan ASTER
Science Team |
