An afternoon thunder shower brings moisture and cooler temperatures to a lowland rain forest^ Bri Bri, Costa Rica, 



and 2,000 species would never be seen again. We do 

 not know why so many species have differentiated 

 within tropical forests or why so many have such lim- 

 ited ranges, but the consequences of tropical forest 

 destruction are clear: many species will be lost forever. 

 Throughout the tropics, forests are being des- 

 troyed at an accelerating rate. Timber production is 

 one aspect of forest degradation, but the major factor is 

 clearing of forest and woodland to expand agricultural 

 production. Whether this is done by local subsistence 

 farmers to expand their meager crops, or by large com- 

 panies expanding pastures for beef production, the 

 effect is the same and cumulative. With the world's 

 human population still growing by almost 100 million a 



year, and with most of this increase taking place in the 

 warmer regions of the world, tropical deforestation will 

 continue. 



The challenge for preservationists is daunting. 

 Hopefully, smaller areas with unique biotas can be pre- 

 served in special parks and preserves. But to maintain 

 larger tracts the forest will have to become an integral 

 part of the local or regional economy. Developing eco- 

 nomically viable sustained-use forestry programs, be- 

 fore these tropical forests are destroyed, is one of the 

 major challenges of our day. It will take everyone, from 

 land-use planners and ecologists to local politicians 

 and investment bankers, to devise intelligent long- 

 term solutions for the problem of tropical forest 

 destruction. FM 



14 



