Tambopata Peru is one of the poorest and most underdeveloped regions in Latin America. The region is home to undernourished children and lacks safe work and education. It is imperative not only for Tambopata, but for all of Peru, to grow its economy and provide its citizens with access to basic needs. Although the Tambopata region presents many arguments for its potential use, sustainable soy cultivation represents the best approach to improving Peru's infrastructure, economy and future preservation of natural areas. There are many potential land uses for the Tambopata Reserve. One of these, which has wide support among environmentalists, is slash-and-burn agriculture. Although this method of farming has been traditionally used for a long time and is considered "greener", many are poorly informed about its methods and its potential for environmental destruction. Slash-and-burn agriculture decreases soil fertility as biomass is extracted, leading to increased runoff and ultimately desertification. In addition, the drying out of isolated stands of forest areas for this type of agriculture promotes local extinctions and the loss of biodiversity. Once the land is exhausted, it is then left abandoned for another stand to be destroyed. This predictable loss of land can be avoided by resorting to sustainable soy cultivation. Soybean production has higher potential to increase both economic prosperity and environmental quality (Dooyou). Due to the destructive nature of slash-and-burn agriculture, soybean production is a much healthier agricultural approach in the Tambopata Reserve. The use of conservation tillage and genetically modified (GMO) soybeans offer a way to protect Tambopata and generate a better quality of life for its people. A study in...... middle of paper ......ural, Financial and Industrial Products and Services. 2011. Internet. April 26, 2011. Green, David. “US soy production + biotechnology = increased sustainability.” Royal Overseas League of the United Soybean Council. September 28, 2010. The web. April 26, 2011. “Tropical forests – Review – Slash and burn cultivation”. Internet. April 26, 2011. .Schonecker, Jake. “Sustainable soya” in Santarem: power struggles for future development. Villanova University, Spring 2007. Web. April 26, 2011. “Soy Moratorium in Brazil.” IUCN/WWF, September 2006. Web. April 26, 2011. Stern, David L. The Environmental Kuznets Curve. International Society for Ecological Economics Internet Encyclopedia of Ecological Economics, June 2003. Web. April 26. 2011.