A recent survey of 3,119 US counties revealed that 1,836 experienced growth in tree cover over the past two decades, with a focus on prairie and Mid-West regions. Counties with thinning forests saw a lower mean tree loss compared to counties with expanding forests, resulting in a net forest growth trend. The benefits of increased tree cover include biodiversity enhancement, soil retention, erosion prevention, temperature regulation, recreational opportunities, and mental well-being. Notably, even urban areas like Kings County, New York, Broward County, Florida, and Wayne County, Michigan, saw gains in tree canopy. The analysis, spanning from 2000 to 2020, showed an average increase of 8.15% in forest cover across all counties. (Goodnewsnetwork)
