<P> Another factor causing the loss of rainforest is expanding urban areas . Littoral rainforest growing along coastal areas of eastern Australia is now rare due to ribbon development to accommodate the demand for seachange lifestyles . </P> <P> The forests are being destroyed at a rapid pace . Almost 90% of West Africa's rainforest has been destroyed . Since the arrival of humans, Madagascar has lost two thirds of its original rainforest . At present rates, tropical rainforests in Indonesia would be logged out in 10 years and Papua New Guinea in 13 to 16 years . According to Rainforest Rescue, a main reason for the increasing deforestation rate especially in Indonesia is the expansion of oil palm plantations to meet the growing demand for cheap vegetable fats and biofuels . In Indonesia, palm oil is already cultivated on nine million hectares and, together with Malaysia, the island nation produces about 85 percent of the world's palm oil . </P> <P> Several countries, notably Brazil, have declared their deforestation a national emergency . Amazon deforestation jumped by 69% in 2008 compared to 2007's twelve months, according to official government data . Deforestation could wipe out or severely damage nearly 60% of the Amazon Rainforest by 2030, says a 2007 report from WWF . </P> <P> However, a January 30, 2009 New York Times article stated, "By one estimate, for every acre of rain forest cut down each year, more than 50 acres of new forest are growing in the tropics ..." The new forest includes secondary forest on former farmland and so - called degraded forest . </P>

Where is dense undergrowth found in the rainforest