Scientists concerned about the number of trees on Earth after research produces global estimate.
Research, carried out by Yale University and published in the scientific journal 'Nature' shows that 15 billion trees are lost every year. However, it also finds that there are more than three trillion trees worldwide, which is eight times more than previously estimated.
When counting forests, it's hard to see the wood for the trees.
The research used satellite imagery and local data to produce the best global estimates yet. The highest densities of trees can be found in forests of sub-arctic regions of Russia, Scandinavia and North America. The largest areas of trees can be found in the Tropics, which is home to 43 per cent of the world's trees.
Dr Mathew Jebb, Director at the National Botanic Gardens, points out that half the forests on earth are found in no more than four countries.
The research found that there are 709 million trees in Ireland, which is considerably less per square kilometre than the global average. Éanna Ní Lamhna of the Tree Council of Ireland, says Ireland is well behind in comparison to countries like Slovenia and Finland, where there are far more trees per square kilometre.
The total number of trees on the planet has fallen by half in the last 12,000 years.
15 billion trees are being cut down each year through deforestation and forest management.
According to data from the University of Maryland and Google, 18 million hectares of trees were lost. The Tropics were the worst impacted area and the losses represent huge implications for the climate. According to Nigel Sizer, Global Director of the Forests Programme at the World Resources Institute, countries that need to reduce carbon emissions the most are the countries losing the most trees.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 2 September 2015. The reporter is Will Goodbody.
