Over One-Third of Tree Species at Risk of Extinction, IUCN Reports

A recent report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reveals that over one in three tree species worldwide is at risk of extinction, with more than 16,000 species identified as threatened, Al Jazeera reported yesterday.

Out of approximately 58,000 tree species estimated globally, over 47,000 were assessed for the study. The primary threats include logging, land clearing for agriculture, and climate change, which exacerbates droughts and wildfires.

Notably, over 5,000 of the threatened species are used for construction timber, while more than 2,000 serve medicinal, food, and fuel purposes. Species like the horse chestnut and ginkgo are among those at risk. The report highlights that the number of at-risk tree species exceeds the total of threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians combined.

The IUCN urges for enhanced forest protection and restoration efforts, particularly through tree planting and conservation initiatives, coinciding with the UN COP16 summit on biodiversity currently underway in Colombia.