Madagascar lost about 50% of its forests in the second half of the 20th century alone. Every year, about 37,000 hectares of forest are lost. The two main causes are illegal logging and slash-and-burn agriculture. The Avenue of Baobabs lies in a treeless plain, surrounded by fields and rice paddies. This makes baobabs a lot more susceptible to the elements; every year, trees are hit by cyclones or lightning. Clearing forest for grazing and agriculture is an ongoing process, that prevents soil regeneration. Baobab roots do not cope well with the constantly waterlogged soil, and more trees are lost each year.