Homes and schools can be built for the growing population

Roads, bridges, ports and airports can be built, enabling more trade

Large banana and coffee plantations can be planted and the crops exported

Without the trees, the tropical soils are exposed to the heavy rain and are easily eroded

New towns can be built and new jobs created

Without the shade from the trees, the land can be baked hard and the earth heats up

Climate change can occur due to less transpiration and photosynthesis

Biodiversity decreases as ecosystems and habitats are lost

Further economic development takes place, leading to a higher standard of living

Covering the ground with buildings and roads increases surface runoff, leading to flooding

Soil is eroded from the land and washed into the rivers, leading to more sedimentation