ABSTRACT
Tropical forests are a source of controversy among international and national sectors and in almost all parts of modern society. The positions assumed by the participants in discussions of the matter are divided and antagonistic. In 1980, tropical Latin America (including Central and South America) had an area of 938 million ha of primary forests. The great Amazon forest is the largest area of tropical forest in the world. Deforestation rates varied from country to country, depending upon the climate, and social and economic conditions. Latin American tropical forests are threatened by multiple factors. Population growth is one but not the only one, nor the most important one. Population increase brings increased demands for food, materials, and energy. Forests should form an integral part of Latin American regional economies. The protection and management of the tropical forests will be successful if society recognizes its value and its contribution to human welfare.
