The chart illustrates the primary causes of deforestation in South America, Southeast Asia, and Central Africa from 1990 to 2000 and from 2010 to 2020.
Overall, cattle ranching was the highest percentage cause of deforestation in South America, while commercial agriculture was the reason for deforestation in Southeast Asia. Moreover, subsistence farming was the cause of deforestation in Central Africa during two separate decades.
In South America, the primary cause was cattle ranching, which accounted for 70% of total forest loss, while commercial Agriculture accounted for around 15%. Logging and subsistence farming accounted for around 4%, which was the smallest percentage causing deforestation. Other causes make up 10% of total forest loss. In Southeast Asia, commercial agriculture was the main driver of forest loss, at about 50%. Cattle ranching accounted for about 5%, subsistence farming for about 20%, logging for about 15%, and other causes for less than 10%.
In Central Africa, logging was the main driver of forest loss, at below 40%, while cattle ranching was close to 30%. Commercial Agriculture and other causes were below 10%. Subsistence farming was above 10%.