"but do you recall where you were reading about logging as a first stage in the Amazon? It's logical of course, but I'd be interested to read about it. "
The first "inroads": literally are usually illegal roads to extract high value wood trees: the rest of the process of destruction follows access. Ipe wood is classic: $2,500 a cubic metre makes it an extremely lucrative business and the illegal wood can be covered by grossly overestimating yields from authorised logging areas elsewhere.(93.3% species "error" in one studied concession). About 50-90% of Brazilian timber is estimated illegal origin whatever the paperwork says.