There are not only animals at risk of extinctionalso plant species: according to the first global assessment of tree species, the 38 percent of the trees in the world it could disappear forever. The Red List ofInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) now also includes 166,061 plant species, of which 46,337 classified as “threatened”.
Today we publish the global assessment of the world’s trees in the IUCN Red List, which shows that more than one in three tree species is threatened with extinction – writes Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General – Trees are essential for supporting life on Earth through their vital role in ecosystems and millions of people depend on them for their lives and their livelihood
And not just for the obvious oxygen. People also depend on trees for timber, and 5,000 species are on the Red List as well as species needed for medicines, food and fuelwith over 2,000 species in the same tragic situation.
Yet we seem to forget about it. Yes, because, although there are many contributing causes of this environmental crisis (parasites, infections, drought), what contributes greatly to the ecological disaster is the massive deforestationmade on an industrial scale to acquire wood or space for pastures and intensive livestock farming, these, in turn, are among the main causes of climate change.
The trees represent now over a quarter of the species present in the IUCN Red List and the number of threatened trees is more than double than the number of all threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians combined. Endangered tree species are found in 192 countries around the world. A global catastrophe.
An announced result
No, it’s not a surprise at all. Scientists have been shouting the alarm for some time. Two years ago, in 2022, a study of the New Phytologist Foundation reported the urgency of implementing determined actions to protect the 60,000 species of trees that our planet currently hosts, given that about a third of them there was evidence of risk of extinction.
But even going back in time we cannot really say that the results published now are a bolt from the blue. Also because, just as killing animal species indiscriminately has this consequence, it was intuitable that massive deforestation could lead to a similar epilogue. At least for those who have eyes to look.
A milestone for future actions (if we care about life on Earth)
This comprehensive assessment presents the first global picture of the conservation status of trees – explains Malin Rivers, head of global tree assessment at Botanic Gardens Conservation International, an IUCN partner – which allows us to make more informed conservation decisions and take action to protect trees where it is most urgent
The work has in fact also traced a risk map: the highest percentage of threatened trees is found on the islandswhere deforestation for urban development and agriculture at all levels is most ferocious, and where invasive species, pests and diseases are more frequent.
In South America, which is home to the greatest diversity of trees in the world, 3,356 of the 13,668 species assessed are at risk of extinction. And here too mainly due to massive deforestation for agriculture and livestock farming. In Colombia, Red List assessments have informed national planning of conservation actions.
Seven critically endangered magnolia species were used for the designation of five new ones Key areas for biodiversitywhich will be used by local and national governments to inform spatial planning.
The climate emergency
The crisis, or rather, now theclimate emergencyis overwhelming the entire planet, even plant species, on which, however, our life also depends.
Climate change is increasingly threatening trees, especially in the tropics, withsea level rise And stronger and more frequent storms. Addressing the threats trees face, habitat protection and restoration, as well as ex situ conservation through seed banks and botanical garden collections are key to preventing extinctions on islands and around the world
Source: IUCN
