It is the protection for the trees ____really matters,rather than how may trees are planted.
这是一个强调句型.
强调的是主语the protection for the trees rather than how may trees are planted
谓语动词是matter意思是要紧.
翻译：是保护树木而非种植多少树木要紧.
只要把it is/was...that三个单词去掉,仍能组成完整的句子就是强调句.这句话可以还原：
The protection for the trees rather than how may trees are planted matters.