There are approximately 1.8 billion trees in the Sahara and its surrounding savannas.

At first glance, the desert and its vicinity seem barren and in no way associated with greenery. Satellite imagery and more detailed study show a different picture. An international group of scientists has determined that there are around 1.8 billion trees growing in and around the desert in North Africa.

As stated by Martin Brandt, one of the members of the research group and an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, the large number of trees in the Sahara came as a surprise. Naturally, there are vast areas in the desert without trees, but nearby there are areas with sufficient tree density, and individual trees are often found between desert dunes.