Researchers have discovered that there currently more than three trillion trees in the world today. However, that number represents less than half of the trees population before humans begun massively cutting down them down in order to use the land for farming and other economic purposes.

The estimated number proved to be much higher than the earlier figure of around 400 billion. Based on the recent study, there are more than 400 trees for every human on Earth. But in the United States, there are around 700 trees for every American.

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Yale Universtity researcher Thomas Crowther, who also headed the study, said that humans have cut the world tree population by more than half.

The massive reduction of trees in the planet is seen as one of the major causes of climate change around the world, according to Lasell College environment professor Michael Daley.

More than 15 billion trees are cut down annually but only around five billion trees are planted as replacements.

Researchers were able to deduce the tree population by using satellites and ground survey. The study was able to determine that North America, European Scandinavia and the Northern most part of Russia currently have the densest forests in the world. However, those trees represents only three percent of the tree population. Majority of them are located near the Earth's equator.

The World of Wildlife Foundation has released a report on April estimating that almost 200 hectares of forest land may be wiped out within the next 15 years.

Forests in several countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia, Colombia, Cameroon, Kenya, Australia and Thailand could fall victims to deforestation unless measures are taken to save them. Many of the threatened forests hosts several indigenous human and animal inhabitants. Biologists said that forests around the world are disappearing due to deforestation even if the remaining ones are holding more trees than before.

In a radio interview, Crowther said that reforestation advocates will need to plant at least one trillion trees around the world in order to replenished the dwindling number of trees. He warned people not to be complacent by the seemingly high number of trees in comparison with the number of humans on Earth.

Tagsworld trees, tree population, deforestation, Reforestation, tree-human ratio, thomas crowther, billion tree campaign, plant for the planet foundation, united nation environment program, forest population