Tropical deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has long been seen as harmful to the environment but beneficial for short-term economic gains. However, new research shows that cleared land can retain its value over time, especially when farmers invest in improving soil fertility. Even as the government enforces stricter forest laws, deforested land remains valuable, while forested land becomes more valuable compared to cleared land. This suggests that sustainable agricultural practices can be profitable in the long run, challenging the idea that deforestation is always detrimental.