The results
showed that there are about 3.04 trillion trees growing on Earth. This means
that there are approximately 390 trees per person.
For
decades, it was believed that there are only about 400 billion trees on Earth.
Scientists got this number after studying satellite images. However, satellites
can only show where forests grow, but not how dense the vegetation is in them.
An
international team led by ecologist Thomas Crowther has developed the first
global tree density map. Their data was almost eight times higher than previous
estimates.
According
to scientists, the highest density of trees is observed in the boreal forests
of northern Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia and Russia. The cold climate is
favorable for coniferous vegetation.
At the same
time, the largest total number of trees grows in the tropical and subtropical
forests of South America, Central Africa and Southeast Asia. These regions
contain more than 40% of all trees on Earth. Hundreds of billions of trees grow
in the Amazon rainforest alone. mir24.tv.
Historical
modeling has shown that since the beginning of human civilization, the Earth
has lost about 46% of its trees. Scientists estimate that more than 15 billion
trees are cut down every year, although natural regeneration and reforestation
partially compensate for these losses.
Scientists
have warned that simply planting seedlings does not solve the problem of
deforestation. Seedlings take decades to mature. In addition, artificial
forests are characterized by low species diversity. Therefore, they contain
fewer animals and are less resistant to diseases and droughts. Scientists
stressed that it is more important to protect existing forests than to plant
new ones, according to Interesting Engineering.
