“A new census that shows that Earth is host to a staggering 3.02 trillion trees — more than scientists expected.The most recent estimate only counted 400 billion trees, reports Rachel Ehrenberg. Because prior studies used satellite technology alone instead of including data from on-the-ground tree density studies, writes Ehrenberg, they missed the mark. They also estimate that since human civilization began, 45.8 percent of all trees been lost.”

Source: www.smithsonianmag.com

I love satellite data, but ground-truthing is critical to so many research projects. 

Tags: remote sensing, conservation, physical, biogeography, environment, resources.