A global assessment conducted by over 1000 tree experts has claimed that one third of all trees are at risk of extinction. The October 28th assessment was performed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and indicates that 38% of the 47,282 species assessed, or at least 16,425 species, are facing threats to their survival. Trees now represent over a quarter of the species listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The number of threatened tree species is more than double that of threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians combined. The trees at risk span across 192 countries.
Among the species at risk, more than 5,000 are commonly used for timber in construction, while over 2,000 are critical for food, medicine, and fuel. The decline of tree populations poses a significant threat not only to these species but also to thousands of plants, fungi, and animals that rely on trees for survival.
“If the number of trees decreases, we will have more carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, and animals are going to have fewer food resources and habitats. This impacts entire ecosystems. It sounds catastrophic,” NHS Science teacher Susan McConnell said.
Urgent action is necessary to prevent further loss. The scientists that conducted the experiment emphasize the importance of habitat protection, restoration efforts, and conservation initiatives such as seed banks and botanical gardens.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service notes that a mere 100 trees can absorb 54 tons of carbon monoxide and 430 pounds of other air pollutants annually.
“It will be a huge environmental loss to the world and to environmental stability if animal and plant diversity is mitigated in such a way,” NHS History teacher Ryan Eberts said.
Particularly vulnerable are tree species found on islands, where deforestation for urban development and agriculture, as well as invasive species and diseases, pose threats. Climate change is also a leading factor in the trees’ risk of extinction, especially in tropical regions, also leading to other issues like rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms.
The main drivers of tree extinction include land use changes, illegal logging, invasive pest species, and the overarching impacts of climate change. Addressing these challenges will require a global effort of habitat protection and restoration to ensure the survival of earth’s trees and the ecosystems they support.
“This comprehensive assessment presents the first global picture of the conservation status of trees, which enables us to make better informed conservation decisions and take action to protect trees where it is urgently needed. The work is a global effort, with over 1,000 tree experts involved. We need to continue to work together to scale up local, national and international tree conservation action to support people and the planet,” Global Tree Assessment lead at Botanic Gardens Conservation International Dr. Malin Rivers said.
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