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Scientists conducted a global assessment of trees, during which almost all world species were added to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, it was found that more than 30 percent of the identified tree species are currently under threat of extinction.
The threat of extinction is not only bad news for trees – both people and wildlife depend on the planet's forests. Flourishing, diverse forests are important for mitigating both climate change and biodiversity loss, writes Ifl Science, reports OBOZ.UA, informs UAINFO.org.
The Global Tree Assessment, which involved more than 1000 experts from around the world over a decade, found that of the 47 tree species that were assessed and listed, at least 282 are threatened with extinction. This list is twice as large as the list of species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, which are also in danger of extinction.
A special point of risk was also identified: islands that currently have the largest share of endangered tree species. There are a number of factors contributing to this, including deforestation and climate change, as well as the presence of invasive species and diseases.
Even in South America, which is home to the most diverse tree species on the planet, a quarter of the tree species studied are threatened with extinction – and that number may even rise.
"Although South America, the world's leader in tree diversity, has a lower proportion of tree species considered threatened with extinction (25 percent), this percentage is bound to increase," explains Dr Eimear Nick Lugadha, Senior Research Scientist Department of Conservation Assessment and Analysis.
Scientists explain that the disappearance of trees can greatly affect the life of the entire planet, because trees directly ensure the survival of many species, including many on the IUCN Red List. Diverse forests are important for mitigating both climate change and biodiversity loss.
"Even more concerning is the growing number of tree species that are threatened with extinction and listed in the Red List," said Dr. Dave Houle, vice president of global solutions at the science center.
However, this news has a positive side - it may give scientists a clearer picture of how best to start solving the problem.
"Evaluating all types of trees was a massive undertaking that took many years to complete. It's still a work in progress, but we now know how to act to effectively deal with the world's tree extinction crisis. We have no excuse not to act,” said Jean-Christophe Vieux, CEO of Fondation Franklinia, one of the organizations that funded the assessment.
