Three Trillion Trees

The Earth has over three trillion trees, says a study.

13:06 03 September 2015

Researchers from Yale University say that there are only about three trillion trees on Earth contrary to the previous estimate that was eight times bigger. The team said that the statistics represents upwards of 420 trees for every person in the planet.

Dr Thomas Crowther said: "It's not like we've discovered a load of new trees; it's not like we've discovered a load of new carbon.

 

"So, it's not good news for the world or bad news that we've produced this new number.

 

"We're simply describing the state of the global forest system in numbers that people can understand and that scientists can use, and that environmental practitioners or policymakers can understand and use."

 

Co-author Dr Henry Glick added: The net loss is about a third of a percent of the current number of trees globally," said co-author Dr Henry Glick.

 

"That doesn't seem to be an insignificant portion and should probably give us cause for considering the role that deforestation is playing in changing ecosystems.

 

"And where tree losses are often tied to timber supplies and land-use conversion for agriculture, as the global human population grows, we may see the net loss increase as well."