Congo deforestation. Villagers (background), in a tropical rainforest in the Congo Basin, using land cleared by the felling of mature hardwood trees (one in foreground). Logging creates open spaces that are used afterwards by farmers, poachers and other local people, leading to further deforestation. Local villagers use the logging tracks to reach the deforested areas, and burn the undergrowth to clear land for crops. This practice is known as slash-and-burn agriculture. The logged trees are turned in wood products, mostly for European markets. Photographed in Kayate, Oriental Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.