ABSTRACT
The tropical region has the largest area of forest decline in the world. The causes of tropical deforestation are complex and are directly connected to the economic, social and political problems of developing countries (Leonard, 1985; Rietbergen, 1993; Bromley, 1999; Palo, 1999). These causes vary from one region to another, including clearing of the forest for agriculture or shift cultivation, cattle ranching, demand for fuelwood and commercial logging (FAO, 1999). 1 In many cases, the main causes of deforestation in Latin America have been policy choices by governments. For example, governments have often favoured the conversion of forests to agriculture, cattle ranching and other land uses (WRI, 1985; Repetto, 1990).
