Final answer:
Intensive agriculture in tropical lowlands can lead to soil degradation, erosion, and desertification. Forest cover plays a crucial role in preventing erosion and maintaining soil fertility in tropical regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When intensive agriculture removes too much natural vegetation in the tropical lowlands, the natural soil can degrade into a baked clay-like form.
The removal of forests in the tropics results in serious soil erosion. Without forest cover, erosion rates skyrocket, causing the loss of soil to erosion. This can lead to desertification and the transformation of forests into deserts, making it difficult for plants to grow.