Core Insights - The article discusses the groundbreaking research led by Professor Guo Qinghua and his team, which resulted in the creation of China's first "tree density map," revealing that there are approximately 142.6 billion trees in China as of 2020, with an average tree density of about 689 trees per hectare, equating to roughly 100 trees per person in China [2][4][12] Group 1: Tree Density Mapping - The tree density map was developed over a decade using advanced technologies such as drones, laser radar, and AI algorithms to accurately estimate tree numbers across 9.6 million square kilometers of land [5][6] - The map provides detailed information on tree distribution, with the Yangtze River basin having about 49.6 billion trees, and provinces like Sichuan, Heilongjiang, Yunnan, and Guangxi collectively accounting for 32% of the total tree count [4][6] Group 2: Technological Innovations - The research utilized laser radar technology to create high-resolution 3D point cloud data, allowing for precise measurements of tree height, crown size, and other structural parameters [8][9] - The team faced challenges such as weather conditions affecting measurement accuracy and the difficulty of identifying lower canopy trees due to upper canopy obstruction, which they addressed through advanced data processing techniques [6][9] Group 3: Ecological and Cultural Significance - The existence of giant trees has ecological importance and is intertwined with local cultural beliefs, as seen in regions where communities revere these trees as sacred [10] - The research aims to balance modern development with traditional cultural preservation, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices in ecological protection [10][13] Group 4: Future Research and Goals - The team is also involved in creating a new generation of vegetation maps to reflect significant changes in vegetation types over the past 40 years, highlighting the need for updated ecological data [11][12] - The research supports China's "dual carbon" goals by providing a more accurate "green ledger" that includes not only forest area but also carbon storage and biodiversity metrics [13]