China counts 142 billion trees: The most ambitious forest census on the planet

China has counted its trees using laser technology, revealing a total of 142.6 billion trees spread across the country. The innovative study, published in Science Bulletin, was conducted by Professor Qinghua Guo's team at Peking University, combining LiDAR data and artificial intelligence algorithms to create a high-resolution map. The findings provide a detailed picture of forest density and distribution, key to ecological restoration and combating climate change. For the first time, an entire country has digitized its tree cover with this precision.

Lasers from the sky

To conduct the most accurate forest census in China's history, scientists used drone-mounted LiDAR technology to scan more than 76,000 forest plots across the country. The system used Lidar360, a specialized software powered by artificial intelligence that processed 400 terabytes of data to identify trees from the air. This revolutionary methodology leaves traditional ground sampling behind, allowing for massive and detailed analysis in record time.

The result is a 100-meter resolution tree density map, an unprecedented scientific tool for assessing carbon sinks, planning reforestation projects, and monitoring ecosystem health. This type of automated monitoring marks a turning point in forest management., especially in a country that plans to plant and restore 70 billion trees in the next decade.

A forest more uneven than expected

The study's results reveal surprising patterns. More than 60% of China's trees are found in cool-temperate coniferous forests, with an average density of 720 trees per hectare. This equates to about 87.9 billion trees concentrated mainly in the northeast and mountainous areas of the southwest. Provinces such as Sichuan, Heilongjiang, Yunnan and Guangxi are home to more than one billion trees each, collectively accounting for 32% of the national total.

Tibet stands out for having the highest number of trees per person: almost 2,000. At the hydrographic level, The Yangtze basin leads with 496 million trees, while the Southeast, Southwest, and Pearl River basins each exceed one billion hectares. These data underscore the uneven distribution of forest resources and provide a concrete basis for designing conservation policies tailored to the characteristics of each region.

Limitations between cups

Despite its technological advancement, the study acknowledges some limitations. LiDAR systems fail to accurately detect trees growing under dense canopies., such as those in the understory or smaller ones in tropical areas. This means that in very leafy areas, the count could be underestimated. Furthermore, there are discrepancies with previous data: the Ninth National Forest Resources Inventory (2019) estimated 426 trees per acre, compared to the 279 trees per acre suggested by the new model.

However, researchers believe that these differences are a consequence of more precise and specific methodologies. Artificial intelligence allows for continuous refinement of prediction models and compensation for errors in future measurements. Fusion with field data and the incorporation of ground-based sensors could further improve the accuracy of future censuses.

Forest intelligence for the future

Beyond counting, Chinese scientists see this project as a strategic tool for achieving their ambitious environmental goals. By cross-referencing tree density data with climatic, topographic, and soil variables, The location of new plantations can be optimized, degraded ecosystems restored, and carbon sequestration maximized.

China has pledged to plant 70 billion trees by 2035, and this mapping will serve as a roadmap for those efforts. Furthermore, The Chinese model could inspire other countries with large forest areas to digitize their vegetation., from the Brazilian Amazon to the boreal forests of Canada. In a world struggling with global warming, accurately counting trees is no longer a scientific curiosity: it's a strategic necessity.

The forest as a living data

This forest census marks a turning point in the way we relate to ecosystems. Thanks to the combination of drones, lasers, and artificial intelligence, Trees are no longer just part of the landscape: they are now also actionable, dynamic, and strategic data. This algorithmic view of nature will allow us not only to protect what already exists, but also to anticipate how forests will behave in the face of climate change.

With this map of 142.6 billion trees, China has not only demonstrated its natural wealth, but also taken a step forward in XNUMXst-century ecological governance. The future of conservation is in the air, between clouds of data and laser-scanned treetops.