One in Three Tree Species Is at Danger of Extinction

One in Three Tree Species Is at Danger of Extinction

By Nicole Norman & E&E Information

CLIMATEWIRE | Greater than a 3rd of the world’s tree species are vulnerable to extinction, in response to findings by the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature.

The group mentioned that its first international evaluation of timber decided that 38 p.c of species are vulnerable to extinction.

“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,” mentioned Malin Rivers, the worldwide tree evaluation lead at Botanic Gardens Conservation Worldwide.

On supporting science journalism

In case you’re having fun with this text, contemplate supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By buying a subscription you might be serving to to make sure the way forward for impactful tales in regards to the discoveries and concepts shaping our world at present.

BGCI coordinated with the IUCN in an effort that concerned greater than 100 companions and 1,000 tree consultants. The IUCN maintains its Pink Record of Threatened Species — the animals, fungus and plant species throughout the globe vulnerable to extinction. The group is a global combine of presidency and civil organizations trying to protect wildlife and advance sustainable developments.

The consultants examined 47,282 species of timber, figuring out that 16,425 — or 34 p.c — are threatened, categorized on the Pink Record as critically endangered, endangered or weak.

The group raised its estimate of what number of tree species are imperiled to 38 p.c to account for the tree species that they weren’t in a position to survey.

“There are some species that are super-restricted so there’s not very many of them, but there’s also species that are really widespread that are also threatened like Fraser fir in the U.S.,” mentioned Emily Beech, head of conservation at BGCI.

Island timber face the most important menace because of elevated dangers similar to deforestation, invasive species and excessive climate.

In South America, the place there are extra tree species than anyplace else on this planet, greater than 3,000 of 13,668 tree species are vulnerable to extinction due to crop farming and livestock ranching. The IUCN says that their assessments have aided native and nationwide authorities planning to avoid wasting seven species of magnolia timber in Colombia.

The IUCN launched its findings in Cali, Colombia, the place the United Nations’ COP 16 biodiversity summit is now in its second week.

The teams concerned within the tree assessments known as for international actions to guard and restore timber and their habitats, saying seed banks and botanic backyard collections are important to stop extinctions.

“Now that we have the data, we are sort of obligated to act,” mentioned Beech.

This story first appeared in E&E Information PM.

Reprinted from E&E Information with permission from POLITICO, LLC. Copyright 2024. E&E Information offers important information for power and setting professionals.